Citation

Nagashima T, Morohoshi T, Gorai A. J. Jpn. Soc. Bronchol. 2010; 32(2): 148-152.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Japan Society for Bronchology)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Background. Although relatively rare, we experienced a case of traumatic tracheal injury that has high mortality. Case. This case was a 65-year-old man with chronic respiratory failure who had undergone tracheostomy for mechanical ventilation. He attempted suicide by stabbing himself in the neck close to the tracheostomy site with a knife and was transported to our hospital with the knife in place at the tracheostomy site. Although the knife was obstructing part of the tracheal lumen, his airway was secured by performing oropharyngeal intubation with a bronchoscope. Since the knife was so close to the right brachiocephalic artery and the right common carotid artery and the trachea was also injured, an emergency operation was performed. The knife was removed paying great attention to surrounding organs and blood vessels. No injuries to the esophagus or large blood vessels were noted. Since the trachea had been partially ruptured, reconstruction of the tracheostomy was conducted. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was transferred to another hospital on the 14th day. Discussion. In traumatic tracheal injury, it is important to choose the best way to secure the airway depending on the situation and to confirm if other organs are injured. Conclusion. We experienced a case of a patient with traumatic tracheal injury whom we were able to save.

Language: ja