Tracheobronchial rupture due to blunt chest trauma is a rare and serious injury in children. The diagnosis is usually difficult and may be overlooked because of the variability of symptoms and findings. Fiberendoscopy is useful in children with stable tracheal or bronchial ruptures. However, in the emergency situation, fiberendoscopy may not be appropriate, and thoracotomy and primary anastomosis may be the best option.
Mustafa Okumuş, Alaaddin Celik, Feryal Gün, and Ensar Yekeler.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. okumusm@superonline.com.tr
Pediatr. Surg. Int. 2005 Aug 1; 21 (8): 665-8.
AbstractTracheobronchial rupture due to blunt chest trauma is a rare and serious injury in children. The diagnosis is usually difficult and may be overlooked because of the variability of symptoms and findings. Fiberendoscopy is useful in children with stable tracheal or bronchial ruptures. However, in the emergency situation, fiberendoscopy may not be appropriate, and thoracotomy and primary anastomosis may be the best option.