Management of a self-inflicted laryngeal injury

ABSTRACT

We present a case of deliberate self-inflicted trauma to the airway. The patient presented with a slit throat secondary to attempted suicide. The patient had a GCS score of 15 in the emergency department with an ability to maintain his own airway and phonation. A cuffed tracheostomy tube was inserted through the wound to maintain the airway. The patient had full wound exploration and repair of anterior tracheal wall. Repeat laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy was done postoperatively which revealed left vocal cord palsy which recovered completely after 2 weeks