Successful Non-Surgical Management of Extensive Tracheal Injury

Extensive tracheal injury

Abstract

Tracheal injury following a blunt trauma is rarely encountered. Tracheal injury usually requires immediate airway intervention as it is life-threatening. Rarity of this entity along with lack of concrete evidence-based literature poses a great conundrum in managing such patients. Amongst the meagre reported cases, bridging of the defect is recommended either via an endotracheal or a tracheostomy tube. Herein, we report a case of a teenage boy post trauma who sustained an extensive posterior tracheal wall laceration and was successfully managed conservatively. Close monitoring alongside serial imaging and diligent involvement of multidisciplinary team led to a complete recovery in this patient. We suggest that management of patients with tracheal injury should include a multidisciplinary team discussion to gather input from other teams in keeping with the possibility of the non-surgical approach. Awareness of this entity and its management is prudent as to avoid further unnecessary procedures which may cause mortality.