Cricotracheal disruption owing to strangulation. A report of two cases with successful surgical repair.

Two patients with cricotracheal disruption resulting from accidental strangulation of the neck were treated. The first patient had severe respiratory obstruction. In the second patient, a fascial tube maintained airway continuity between the separated larynx and trachea, and she had no difficulty breathing. A preoperative diagnosis of tracheal injury was based on the findings of respiratory obstruction, bloody secretions in the endotracheal tube, and subcutaneous emphysema in the neck. In both cases, an endotracheal tube was easily passed and entered the distal tracheal lumen. This relieved the respiratory obstruction in the first case and allowed administration of general anesthesia and control of ventilation during the operation. Prompt repair with cricotracheal anastomosis was followed by excellent results in both cases.