Injury to the larynx

We divide into internal and external ,
according to localization, it can also be divided into supraglottic, glottic, subglottic .

Internal Injuries[edit | edit source]

Bodies wedged in the entrance to the larynx are manifested by an immediate attack of violent coughing , laryngospasm , dysphonia , pain,
bodies located in the subglottic region – dyspnea with expiratory stridor ,
chronic foreign body causes local inflammation with the formation of granulations,
in the case of organic foreign bodies, a general reaction of the organism may occur, there is a risk of swelling of the body and thus its extraction is impaired,
therapy – removal by direct or indirect laryngoscopy , sometimes it is necessary to perform a tracheostomy to secure the airways.

Laryngeal stenosis

During or after intubation , by the action of the intubation tube,
there are mucosal injuries of the entrance, glottis and subglottis with blood suffusion, edema,
sometimes lacerations with bleeding,
more rarely, there may be an abruption of the vocal cords or dislocation of the arytenoid cartilage,
erosions often become secondarily infected (typically formation of post-intubation granulomas),
it can lead to stenoses,
it is often due to inadequate size of the endotracheal tube,
the cuff must not be inflated in the glottis and subglottis area (high risk of stenoses),
safe intubation time – adults approx. 48 hours, children 5–6 days,
finding – shortness of breath, less often voice disorder, appears 2–6 weeks after intubation,
therapy – endoscopic or surgical.

Corrosion along with corroding of the swallowing tract – the entrance to the larynx is affected,
the entire larynx is affected when inhaling toxic gases or hot fumes,
symptoms – inspiratory shortness of breath to suffocation, irritating cough,
- odynophagia and dysphagia in case of injury to the entrance,
- in the larynx – edema, fibrin coatings and mucosal necrosis,
therapy – early respiratory support – corticoids.

The complex is well protected by the surroundings (lower jaw, sternum...), moreover, it has clearance and when force is applied, it deflects in the direction of the force,
the most common cause of blunt injuries are traffic accidents, sports injuries, assaults , rarely hanging,
depending on the degree, we distinguish between coma and contusion .

The larynx is anatomically damaged,
suffusions, hematomas, distortion of the cricoarytenoid articulation, fractures of the thyroid cartilage,
most serious:
- supraglottic avulsion – complete circumferential rupture of the larynx at the level of the ventricles, the upper part being pulled behind the mandible and the lower part behind the sternum,
- subglottic dislocated fracture of the annular cartilage - the only circular support of the larynx collapses, obstruction,
- laryngotracheal avulsion – separation of the larynx from the trachea, caused by a blow under the annular cartilage during hyperextension of the neck,
symptoms - palpation pain, neck swelling, hoarseness to aphonia, odynophonia, odynophagia, cough, hemoptysis, crepitation of fragments, inspiratory dyspnea,
therapy
- in case of suffocation – securing the airways using a tracheostomy,
- conservative procedure for minor injuries, for fractures without dislocation; voice calm, or feeding tube,
- worse - surgical revision.

Cuts, incisions and stab wounds are rare,
open wounds are most often caused by fragments of glass or suicide attempts,
basic symptom – covering the wound with foamy blood, hemoptysis, irritating cough, shortness of breath,
therapy - in case of suffocation - fast and high-quality PP, intubation, tracheostomy, koniopuncture...,
- tracheostomy is performed as far as possible from the site of injury,
- surgical revision is almost always necessary.