Acute laryngeal trauma in the pediatric patient

Our Experience with Laryngotracheal Trauma (LTT) in a Tertiary Care Centre of Western Rajasthan

LTT is a life-threatening incident that is fortunately rare. The presenting symptoms might not correlate with the intensity of trauma and range from mild endolaryngeal edema to complete laryngotracheal transection. An early diagnosis and timely intervention is required for successful outcomes and minimizing complications. This retrospective audit was performed on 18 patients of LTT who presented to the emergency from January 2017 to December 2019. The history, clinical presentation, examination findings, degree and nature of trauma, diagnostic modalities, medical and surgical management, and outcomes were analyzed. A total of 13 males and 5 females were included in this audit, with a mean age of 38.7 years. The most common cause was accidental in 77.7% patients. 61.5% of patients presented with Schaefer grade 3 and higher. Out of which 46% underwent emergent neck exploration and repair. 27.7% (5/18) presented with sequelae which were managed either by T- tube stenting, endoscopic dilatation by coblation, or laryngotracheal resection (LTR) and end-to-end anastomosis (EEA). Out of 14 surgically reconstructed airways, successful decannulation was achieved in 57.1% (8) patients. High clinical suspicion, early referral with emergent intervention is paramount for successful outcomes, fewer recurrences, and reduction of hospital's and patient's financial burden as timely planning and intervention can ensure successful decannulation of around two thirds of the higher grades (grade 3-5) of laryngotracheal traumatic injuries. Early airway establishment is the most critical goal. Definitive treatment protocols are needed in this field which warrants further formulation of multicentric studies and audits.

Complete Tracheal Transection in a 3-Year-Old After Blunt Neck Trauma: a Case Report

Pediatric laryngotracheal injuries from blunt force trauma are rare but can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In pediatric patients with severe laryngotracheal disruption, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been used to improve oxygenation and ventilation until definitive repair can be performed. We describe the case of a 3-year-old girl with blunt neck trauma secondary to an all-terrain vehicle accident in which her neck was clotheslined against a fence, leading to a complete tracheal transection at the C7-T1 level. Emergent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation was initiated. We discuss the evaluation and management of tracheal injuries and the requisite multidisciplinary team approach. Pediatric patients with laryngotracheal trauma require definitive airway management, which should be performed by skilled personnel.

Prehospital Management of Pediatric Hanging

OBJECTIVES

Hanging may inflict laryngotracheal injuries and increase the potential for difficult airway management. We describe the management of pediatric hangings attended by an urban physician-led prehospital trauma service to provide information on a clinical situation encountered infrequently by most acute care clinicians.

METHODS

Retrospective trauma registry-based observational study of all children younger than 16 years attended with hanging as mechanism of injury in the period between 2000 and 2014.

RESULTS

Twenty-three thousand one hundred thirty patients were attended; 2415 (10%) of which were children. Of these, 32 cases (<1%) were pediatric hanging (1 case excluded due to missing data). There were 22 (71%) boys and 9 (29%) girls. Median age was 13 years. There was suicidal intent in 23 (74%) cases, and in 8 (26%) cases, hanging was accidental. There were 17 (55%) deaths, of which 14 (82%) were suicides.The doctor-paramedic team intubated 25 (80%) patients, with a 100% success rate. One (3%) patient was managed with a supraglottic airway device, and 5 (16%) patients did not require any advanced airway management.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric hanging is rare, but has a high mortality rate. Attempted suicide is the leading cause of hangings in children and preventive measures should target psychiatric morbidity. Despite concerns about airway edema or laryngeal injury, experienced doctor-paramedic teams had no failed airway attempts.

Clinical considerations for blunt laryngotracheal trauma in children

OBJECTIVE

Systematic review of blunt pediatric laryngeal and tracheal trauma and development of proposed evaluation and management strategy.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and proposed clinical consideration algorithm.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

REVIEW METHODS

A medical librarian was utilized.

RESULTS

329 titles and abstracts were identified, and 50 reports were included. A total of 66 children were identified, with a majority of males (76.1%). Average age was 9.5±4.4years [range 2-17]. CT was employed in 66.7% of cases. False negative CT occurred in 29.5% of cases. Treatment consisted of observation (9.1%), endoscopy alone (31.8%), endoscopic repair (7.6%), and open neck exploration with repair/open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) (51.5%). Tracheotomy was utilized in 33.3% of the cases. Mortality was rare, with only one (1.5%) reported and occurred within one hour after presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant deviation and variation from recommended previously proposed management algorithms exists in reported cases. Awareness of the natural clinical history, potential for severe morbidity or mortality, and associated complications are extremely important. CT and fiberoptic, bedside laryngoscopy may not play a significant role but may add to clinical evaluation prior to operative intervention. If employed, care must be taken to not create an unstable clinical scenario. Operative endoscopy is recommended in cases with positive physical examination findings, and treatment tailored to extent of injury.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

TYPE OF STUDY

Systematic review.

Laryngeal Injury and Pneumomediastinum Due to Minor Blunt Neck Trauma: Case Report

BACKGROUND

Serious isolated laryngeal injuries are uncommon in children.

CASE REPORT

We describe the case of an 8-year-old boy with laryngeal injury and pneumomediastinum due to minor blunt neck trauma. He presented to the emergency department complaining of odynophagia and hoarseness, but without respiratory distress. Emphysema was seen between the trachea and vertebral body on initial cervical spine x-ray study, and flexible laryngoscopy revealed erythema and mild edema of both the right vocal cord and the arytenoid region. He recovered with conservative management only. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: We conclude that it is important to recognize subtle evidence of laryngeal injury secondary to blunt neck trauma to ensure early diagnosis. Initial cervical spine x-ray assessment should exclude both cervical spine fracture and local emphysema after blunt neck trauma. If patients with blunt neck trauma have evidence of a pneumomediastinum, the clinician should consider the possibility of aerodigestive injury.

Evaluation and management of pediatric near-hanging injury

INTRODUCTION

Children surviving a strangulation event are unique from adults in that they are at risk for significant airway compromise due to the smaller relative size of their airways. To date, no study has specifically evaluated the laryngeal findings and management of pediatric near-hanging patients.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on all near-hangings presenting to the a tertiary care children's hospital from January 2001 until June 2010. Demographic information was compiled in addition to laryngeal findings.

RESULTS

Sixteen children were identified. Four had a documented laryngeal injury, one of which was a major injury requiring a tracheotomy.

CONCLUSION

Laryngeal examination should be standard of care for any child presenting after a near-hanging event.

External laryngeal injuries in children--comparison of diagnostic methods

OBJECTIVES

The injuries of the larynx constitute around 1% of all injuries. The great majority of the injuries of the larynx happens during playing. The effects of these injuries may appear insignificant however, not always the direct clinical symptoms correlate with the degree of respiratory tract failure. The symptoms of laryngeal injuries depend on the extension and strength of the trauma and always relate to impair patency of respiratory tract. The aim of the study is to compare two diagnostic methods: laryngoscopy and ultrasonography in evaluation of laryngeal injuries in children.

METHODS

In the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Medical University of Warsaw, in the period between 2004 and 2010 there were hospitalised 15 children with external injury of the larynx.

RESULTS

From among 15 hospitalized children, 7 were qualified as not serious trauma and were treated preservatively and the other 8 as sever trauma. The mechanism of traumas was diverse. Dyspnea was a predominating symptom, the others included hoarsness, change in voice quality, even aphonia, pain while speaking and swallowing, cough and hemoptysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct laryngoscopy is a standard in diagnostics of the injuries of the larynx. Ultrasonography of the larynx is recommended in every case of laryngeal injury as an additional non-invasive complementary diagnostic examination.

Patterns of injury and otolaryngology intervention in pediatric neck trauma

BACKGROUND

Neck trauma in the pediatric population is relatively rare with limited discussion in the literature describing the injury patterns and outcomes of all neck trauma victims. This study characterizes pediatric neck trauma both inside and outside the context of injuries requiring otolaryngology (ENT) intervention.

METHODS

Patients sustaining neck trauma presenting to a single tertiary care hospital between January 2001 and June 2010 were included. Demographic information was obtained in addition to information regarding the initial hospital stay and follow up visits related to the initial trauma.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients were included. Blunt injuries were found in 44 children with 30 sustaining penetrating injuries. Twenty-eight percent of patients had an ENT consultation. Those patients with injuries warranting ENT consultation were nearly 3 times more likely to require intubation than those without an ENT consultation (p=0.009). Laryngotracheal injuries were documented in 11 patients with 6 of these characterized as major injuries and 5 minor injuries.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric neck trauma represents a spectrum of injuries from ecchymosis to major laryngotracheal injury. Otolaryngology involvement is not necessary in all cases; however, one must be aware of the risk of laryngotracheal injury, particularly with blunt trauma and there should be a low threshold for Otolaryngology consultation and endoscopy.

Paediatric blunt laryngeal trauma: a review

Paediatric blunt laryngeal trauma is infrequently encountered; however, it can have fatal consequences if managed inappropriately. This paper provides an overview of the relatively limited literature available on the subject and highlights current controversies and recent advances in the management of these injuries.

Endoscopic management of posttraumatic supraglottic stenosis in the pediatric population

OBJECTIVES

Pediatric blunt laryngeal trauma is a rare and potentially life-threatening entity. External injuries can be misleading, and a high index of suspicion, as well as early intervention, is essential to achieve the best possible outcome. The authors of this report review the management of blunt laryngeal trauma in the pediatric population and describe the endoscopic management of posttraumatic supraglottic stenosis.

METHODS

Methods used were case report from a tertiary referral institution and review of the literature.

RESULTS

We describe the case of a 13-year-old girl whom developed supraglottic stenosis following blunt laryngeal trauma. Innovative endoscopic techniques were used in the successful management of this exceedingly rare entity.

CONCLUSION

Early recognition and intervention are of paramount importance if successful endoscopic management of blunt laryngeal trauma is to be considered.

Blunt laryngeal trauma in children: case report and review of initial airway management

Blunt neck trauma is not common in children, but these injuries can be potentially life-threatening. Presenting symptoms and signs of laryngeal injuries are often subtle, and poor outcomes in regard to voice and airway function are associated with delayed diagnosis. The purpose of this report was to present a pediatric case that illustrates the subtle symptoms and signs of a laryngeal laceration. In this case, the appearance of the laryngeal laceration was similar to the glottis, highlighting the importance of developing airway management guidelines for blunt laryngeal injuries in children.

Management of laryngo-tracheal injuries associated with craniomaxillofacial trauma

PURPOSE

Laryngeal fractures can occur in association with maxillofacial injuries and may lead to life-threatening airway obstruction. Because of a low incidence and a paucity of peer-reviewed information, there is no universally accepted treatment protocol and few clinicians have extensive experience with complex laryngo-tracheal trauma. The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to validate a treatment protocol for the management of laryngo-tracheal injuries occurring in severely injured patients by assessing the outcome of a consecutive series of patients who were treated by the same surgeons over a 12-year period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients with laryngeal fractures admitted to the trauma service at Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center (LEHHC; Portland, OR) from 1992 to 2004 were managed by the same surgeons, using a standard protocol based on the stability of the airway, and were retrospectively identified using the LEHHC Trauma Registry. Using information from the Trauma Registry and individual physician chart notes, a database was created for the purpose of assessing outcome. The following data were collected: age, gender, mechanism of injury, number of associated injuries and the Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale on admission, initial hematocrit, airway management techniques, length of hospital stay, LEHHC laryngeal injury classification, treatment modality, disposition, and any available follow-up. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographics, treatment, and outcome. Outcome measures were defined as complications, airway patency, speech, and deglutition.

RESULTS

A total of 16,465 patients were identified from the Trauma Registry as having sustained head, neck, or facial injuries, of which 37 patients were diagnosed with laryngeal fractures. Complete patient records were available for 27 patients (mean age, 35.5 +/- 15.3 years; range, 8 to 80 years; 23 males, 4 females) who were classified according to the LEHHC laryngeal injury classification scheme. Most patients sustained injuries as the result of blunt trauma (n = 23; 85.1%) and almost all of them had concomitant maxillofacial injuries (n = 26; 96.3%). Twenty patients (74.1%) required advanced airway intervention (tracheostomy, 14; endotracheal intubation, 5; emergent cricothyrotomy, 1), of which 13 patients underwent neck exploration. Eight of these patients required open reduction and internal fixation with titanium plates and screws, and 2 patients required the addition of an endolaryngeal stent. There was a general trend toward poorer outcome with increased LEHHC laryngeal injury classification. However, all patients were successfully decannulated, maintained patent airways, and ate a normal diet. Hoarseness was common in patients who underwent surgical exploration; however, long-term perioperative complications were rare and included infection requiring hardware removal (n = 1), unilateral vocal cord paralysis (n = 1), and subjective dysphagia.

CONCLUSION

Fractures of the larynx are uncommon injuries that are frequently associated with maxillofacial trauma and are potentially associated with significant morbidity. Management of laryngo-tracheal injuries using a protocol based on airway status as described in this report results in airway patency, functional vocal quality, and normal deglutition for almost all patients.

Canadian pediatric anesthesiologists prefer inhalational anesthesia to manage difficult airways: A survey

PURPOSE

To survey Canadian pediatric anesthesiologists to assess practice patterns in managing pediatric patients with difficult airways.

METHODS

Canadian pediatric anesthesiologists were invited to complete a web survey. Respondents selected their preferred anesthetic and airway management techniques in six clinical scenarios. The clinical scenarios involved airway management for cases where the difficulty was in visualizing the airway, sharing the airway and accessing a compromised airway.

RESULTS

General inhalational anesthesia with spontaneous respiration was the preferred technique for managing difficult intubation especially in infants (90%) and younger children (97%), however, iv anesthesia was chosen for the management of the shared airway in the older child (51%) where there was little concern regarding difficulty of intubation. Most respondents would initially attempt direct laryngoscopy for the two scenarios of anticipated difficult airway (73% and 98%). The laryngeal mask airway is commonly used to guide fibreoptic endoscopy. The potential for complete airway obstruction would encourage respondents to employ a rigid bronchoscope as an alternate technique (17% and 44%).

CONCLUSION

Inhalational anesthesia remains the preferred technique for management of the difficult pediatric airway amongst Canadian pediatric anesthesiologists. Intravenous techniques are relatively more commonly chosen in cases where there is a shared airway but little concern regarding difficulty of intubation. In cases of anticipated difficult intubation, direct laryngoscopy remains the technique of choice and fibreoptic laryngoscopy makes a good alternate technique. The use of the laryngeal mask airway was preferred to facilitate fibreoptic intubation.

Pediatric otolaryngologic emergencies

Anesthesiologists are often consulted to help in the management of pediatric otolaryngologic emergencies. These include airway obstruction in children suffering from acute epiglottitis and croup. Surgical otolaryngologic emergencies such as foreign body aspiration, post-tonsillectomy bleeding, obstructive laryngeal papillomatosis, peritonsillar abscess, and laryngeal trauma can be life threatening. The pathophysiology, clinical course, and anesthetic management of these conditions are addressed with special emphasis on the details of airway management in each case.

External laryngotracheal trauma in children

External laryngotracheal trauma in the paediatric population, although rare, presents a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for the attending surgeon. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile, treatment and outcome and to establish a simple, effective management protocol in this emergency. A retrospective case series was studied. There were 12 patients aged 2-14 years in this series, eight of them (67%) having closed injuries. Their clinical presentation was correlated to conservative management, tracheostomy and surgical intervention. In the open injury group all the patients (100%) underwent tracheostomy, upper endoscopy and neck exploration. One patient (25%) in this group developed subglottic stenosis. In the closed injury group, seven patients (88%) had tracheostomy with upper endoscopy, and two of them (25%) had neck exploration in addition. One patient (13%), however, developed glottic stenosis. The patients with stenosis underwent multiple surgical interventions prior to final decannulation. There was no mortality. Breathing difficulty/stridor were the commonest clinical presentations in children with acute external laryngotracheal trauma. Tracheostomy and early surgical intervention appeared to be the treatment of choice. A protocol with major and minor criteria of clinical presentation is suggested for effective management.