Complete cervical tracheal rupture in children after closed trauma.

The authors report the case of a 5-year-old boy who received a blow from a heavy metallic bar on the front of the neck and presented with a complete rupture of the cervical trachea. Such a rupture is exceptional in children because of the consistency of the cartilage but can occur when the neck is in extension and the glottis is closed. A rigid endoscopy allowed the rupture to be diagnosed, to restore the airway, to prepare the cervicotomy, and the suturing of the trachea. He presented with a stenosis 50 days after the suturing which was treated by dilatation.