A CASE OF LARYNGEAL TRAUMA IN WHICH EMERGENCY AIRWAY MANAGEMENT WAS NECESSARY

Abstract

　　An 83-year-old man was brought to our hospital after a traffic accident. He exhibited respiratory failure, which was caused by an upper airway obstruction that occurred due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis. It was an emergency state and he underwent oral tracheal intubation. CT scan showed a thyroid cartilage fracture. Subsequently, he underwent tracheotomy and was transferred to another hospital to undergo conservative treatment. Laryngeal trauma is relatively uncommon, and treatment of the acute phase consists of airway management. We need to recognize laryngeal trauma based on the mechanism of injury or symptoms and perform reliable intubation or surgical airway management during airway emergency. Because tracheal intubation after laryngeal trauma may cause airway obstruction, we should prepare for emergency airway management.