Results of the surgical treatment of patients with traumatic injuries to the cervical trachea at Viet Duc University Hospital in the period 2017-2022

Abstract

Background: Tracheal trauma is one of the increasingly common airway injuries in Vietnam and requires emergency treatment due to the risk of severe and acute respiratory failure, threatening the patient's life. Treatment of tracheal trauma depends on the extent of the injury; surgery plays an important role in saving the patient's life in emergencies, and surgery also solves the complications caused by trauma to the trachea. This study was conducted to describe some important features of the diagnosis and outcome of surgical treatment of tracheal trauma.

Patients and methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study of all patients who were diagnosed with cervical tracheal trauma and treated by surgery at Viet Duc University Hospital from January 2017 to December 2022.

Results: There were 23 patients, mainly male, who accounted for 83%. The average age was 37 ± 17.8 (31 - 59) years old. Traffic accidents was the main cause, accounting for 73.9%. The likely location of injury was the Tracheo-Laryngeal junction, accounting for 73.9%. The disease was often associated with multiple traumas. Shortness of breath and subcutaneous emphysema were the most frequent symptoms. X-rays, tracheobronchoscopy, and computed tomography were valuable imaging diagnostic tools. 78.3% of patients were discharged with good results. One patient died during a hospital stay because of multiple traumas. One case had a complication of stenosis of the trachea. The results show that early surgery gives better results than late treatment.

Conclusion: Initial management of tracheal injury should be done quickly at the first emergency facility, where ensuring airways open is a top priority. The correct indication and early surgery gives good results and reduces complications.

Keywords: Cervical tracheal injury, tracheal trauma surgery, Viet Duc University Hospital