Blunt Complete Tracheal Transection

A 25-year-old construction worker was hanged accidentally by his shawl. He presented to the emergency department with neck contusion, subcutaneous emphysema, and voice change followed by respiratory distress which indicated oro-tracheal injury. The tracheal injury was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy. Intra-operatively, a tracheostomy tube was placed followed by repair of a tear in the posterior membranous portion and approximation of the separated crico-tracheal ends. The postoperative course was uneventful, except that unilateral vocal cord paresis was managed medically.