Laryngeal laceration after blunt neck trauma in a football player

Damage of the larynx in athletes is rare. Football players and hockey players constitute the most common group of athletes prone to injuries of this area [1, 2]. It is estimated that the frequency of laryngeal injuries after a blunt trauma of the neck is less than 2% of all injuries in this area. In the analyzed literature, the authors found only 11 such cases, and the last one was described in 2003 [3]. Because of the rarity of this type of injury, we want to discuss our own experience in dealing with a football player with a laryngeal injury after a blunt neck trauma.
A boy, 17 years old (goalkeeper), suffered a blunt neck trauma as a result of a kick during a football game. Immediately after the injury the patient had rapidly increasing dyspnoea, with enlarged neck circumference and hoarseness. First aid at the stadium was given by the team coach. The ambulance was called. Due to the increasing dyspnea, the emergency doctor intubated the patient and transported him to a surgical ward in the nearest hospital. Due to the bilateral pneumothorax, drainage of both pleural cavities was performed. One hour after the injury the patient was transported to the Department of Thoracic Surgery. In the department the physical examination revealed the presence of subcutaneous emphysema of the neck and chest and compression pain in the place of the injury radiating to the chest. Sonographically there was detected bilateral weakening of the respiratory murmur. In the computed tomography (CT) examination of the chest bilateral pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema were revealed (Fig. 1). Despite the actively used drainage, reduction of the subcutaneous emphysema was not achieved; on the contrary, it increased. Bronchoscopy was performed, revealing damage to the larynx on the border of the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage. During the 18th hour after the injury cervicotomy was performed. Damage of the cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage was detected. The damage had a length of 5 cm. The location of the damage was treated with a single PDS 3-0 suture. Below the place of the damage tracheotomy was performed. The wound was drained with a Redon drain. In the postoperative progress there were no complications. On the 6th day there was performed bronchoscopy, revealing proper healing of the damaged spot without the presence of granulation tissue. The patient was transferred to the Laryngological Clinic for rehabilitation.
Football is one of the most...


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