TRACHEA PERFORATION

INTRODUCTION: Tracheobronchial injuries are defined as injuries occurring between the cricoid cartilage and the right and left main tracheal bifurcation. This injury is a rare but potentially

life-threatening injury. Tracheobronchial injury may result from penetrating or blunt traumatic mechanisms, but may also occur following iatrogenic injury. Some tracheobronchial injuries

can be immediately fatal as a result of suffocation due to airway obstruction or tension pneumothorax. Milder injuries may result in delayed airway stenosis. A high index of suspicion and

prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for these injuries to optimize outcomes in these patients.

CASE: A 56-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with trauma to the neck as a result of a cow attacking him. The patient admitted to emergency department

complaints of a feeling of tenderness and pressure in the neck upon. The general condition of the patient was moderate, glasgow coma scale: 15, vital singns were normal. There was subcutaneous

crepitation in the upper part of the thorax and neck. In the patient’s imaging, there was loss of integrity in the anterior trachea at the level of the hyoid bone and diffuse subcutaneous

free air (Figure 1). These findings were evaluated in favor of tracheal perforation and the thoracic surgery clinic was consulted. The patient was hospitalized by the thoracic surgery clinic.

CONCLUSIONTracheobronchial injuries may be associated with high mortality during trauma and treatment process due to disruption of airway integrity. Patients with tracheobronchial injury

may require close monitoring, oxygen support and, if necessary, advanced airway support.