[Case report on traumatic complete laryngotracheal separation with a positive outcome].

HISTORY: A 21-year-old female was injured by accidental strangulation. Dyspnea and stridor occurred with delay, and led to emergency intubation.

FINDINGS: Physical examination showed strangulation marks and neck emphysema. Computed tomography confirmed laryngotracheal separation and revealed misplacement of the ventilation tube.

DIAGNOSIS: Further surgical exploration revealed complete laryngotracheal (cricotracheal) separation.

TREATMENT: After initial emergency tracheotomy, cricotracheal reanastomosis was achieved by a two-stage surgical approach.

CONCLUSION

Laryngotracheal separation is associated with high mortality. In the case presented herein, the patient survived and was discharged from hospital without a tracheostomy tube despite bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy.