Severe laryngeal fracture treated by supracricoid laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To report a rare case of severe laryngeal fracture treated by supracricoid laryngectomy. Previously, a few cases of major laryngeal trauma treated by reconstructive laryngectomy have been briefly described. This paper aims to comprehensively document a rare case of severe laryngeal fracture for which this difficult treatment choice represented an acceptable option.

METHODS

A 33-year-old woman sustained very serious blunt laryngeal trauma. The complexity of the laryngeal injuries led us to opt for supracricoid laryngectomy, rather than to attempt laryngeal repair.

RESULTS

The post-operative course was normal. The patient's post-operative voice was breathy but functional. No airway stenoses occurred.

CONCLUSION

For severe laryngeal fractures, reparative procedures and stenting constitute the standard treatment. However, in selected and especially critical cases, a primary partial or reconstructive laryngectomy is justifiable.