Complete cricotracheal separation following blunt trauma to the neck.

We report a case of complete cricotracheal transection with wide separation of the ends, a rare injury. Because of the good general and respiratory condition of the patient on admission, the pathognomonic signs of laryngeal injury were not noticed, causing an unnecessary delay in treatment. Deteriorating respiratory status with progressing cervical subcutaneous emphysema brought up the diagnosis of laryngotracheal injury. Treatment was immediate and included tracheotomy and primary end-to-end anastomosis.