| publication name | Traumatic Intrathoracic Tracheobronchial Injuries: a Study of 78 cases |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mohamed A Alassal, Bedir M Ibrahim and Nabil Elsadeck |
| year | 2014 |
| keywords | Bronchi, Bronchoscopy, Trachea, Wounds, nonpenetrating, Wounds, penetrating |
| journal | Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals |
| volume | Vol. 22(7) 816–823 |
| issue | 7 |
| pages | 816-823 |
| publisher | sage journals |
| Local/International | International |
| Paper Link | 10.1177/0218492313516777 |
| Full paper | download |
| Supplementary materials | Not Available |
Abstract
Background: Tracheobronchial injuries are encountered with increasing frequency because of improvements in prehospital care. We reviewed our experience of these injuries to determine how to better recognize them and facilitate their correct management. Methods: Patients with traumatic non-iatrogenic intrathoracic tracheobronchial injuries managed in 2 tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia between 2000 and 2012, were studied. Clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management, and outcome were reviewed. Results: 78 patients with tracheobronchial injuries were included in this study. They were divided into 2 groups according to the management strategy. Forty-seven patients who were managed conservatively, and 31 underwent surgery. Surgery allowed shorter intensive care unit and hospital stays; otherwise, the results were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: Early recognition and expedient appropriate management are essential in these potentially lethal injuries. Operative management can be achieved with acceptable mortality, and conservative treatment should be considered as a valuable alternative to the well-established surgical treatment.