Trachea rupture lesion in children: The two extremes

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Fette, A.^{; *}

Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Andreas Fette, Drosselstr. 4, 71554 Weissach im Tal, Germany. Tel.: +49 7191 53306; Fax: +49 7191 493947; E-mail: andreas.fette@gmx.de.

Abstract: Neck trauma in childhood resulting in trachea rupture lesions is an extremely rare but always life-threatening injury. Even if initial clinical signs are minimal, significant airway compromise always has to be considered. Mechanisms of accident and etiologies regarding especially the true impact forces of the trauma are various making standardized emergency management and health care difficult. Two opposite and exceptional case reports are presented and discussed in front of an extended literature overview.

Keywords: Trachea lesion, trauma impact, emergency management, children

DOI: 10.3233/THC-2008-16501

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 319-329, 2008