does injury mechanism matter?
Stassen NA; Hoth JJ; Scott MJ; Day CS; Lukan JK; Rodriguez JL; Richardson JD Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. Laryngotracheal injuries are potentially lethal injuries whose diagnosis can be difficult. The purpose of this study was to delineate the effect of injury mechanism on the types of injury sustained and patient outcome. Patient records during a 7-year period were reviewed for injury mechanism, patient demographics, clinical presentation, patient evaluation, injury location, associated injuries, operative interventions, and outcome. Fifteen patients with laryngotracheal injuries were studied. Blunt injuries were more common (60%). Patient demographics, mortality, average length of stay, and Injury Severity Score were similar for both groups. Prevalent physical findings on examination included subcutaneous air (53%), hoarseness (47%), stridor (20%), and neck tenderness (27%). Diagnosis was confirmed by CT scan of the neck (66% blunt,
