Acute Injury of the Larynx (Thyroid Cartilage Fracture)

Indication of Open Reduction

Abstract

The purpose of treating an acute injury to the larynx is to maintain airway and voice quality. Three cases of thyroid cartilage fracture without overlying mucosal disruption are reported. The first patient had a single and displaced fracture of the upper portion of the right thyroid lamina and did not require open reduction. The second patient had multiple and non-displaced fractures of the bilateral thyroid lamina and required open reduction. The third patient had a single and displaced fracture of the left thyroid lamina. This third case presented a voice disorder with a limitation in pitch range and required open reduction and fixation by sutures placed through the cartilage. All three cases did not manifest immediate nor delayed airway problem and maintained post-treatment quality of voice.
The indication of open reduction for thyroid cartilage fracture without overlying mucosal disruption should be determined by the voice disorder following laryngeal trauma, rather than the type of fracture (single or multiple, displaced or non-displaced).