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Blunt laryngeal trauma in children
Author(s) -
Myer Charles M.,
Orobello Peter,
Cotton Robin T.,
Bratcher Glenn O.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198709000-00009
Subject(s) - medicine , larynx , laryngoscopy , concomitant , respiratory distress , blunt trauma , etiology , blunt , laryngeal edema , distress , airway , penetrating trauma , surgery , edema , intubation , clinical psychology
The diagnosis of laryngeal trauma in an adult trauma patient is usually readily made. It is frequently overlooked in children, however, because of the severity of their concomitant injuries and the unfamiliarity of pediatricians with this type of injury. The child with laryngeal trauma may develop respiratory distress much more quickly than an adult because of the relatively small dimensions of the pediatric airway and the apparent propensity for children to develop edema of the soft tissues of the larynx. This report retrospectively reviews our experience during the past several years with ten children who experienced blunt laryngeal trauma. Emphasis is placed upon the diverse etiologies of laryngeal trauma in children and the importance of both flexible and rigid laryngoscopy in the diagnosis and management of these patients.