TY - JOUR AU - Onotai , L.O AU - Nwogbo , A.C PY - 2012/09/01 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Laryngeal Trauma in Port Harcourt:: A Review of 68 Cases JF - African Journal of Tropical Medicine and Biomedical Research JA - AJTMBR VL - 1 IS - 4 SE - ORIGINAL ARTICLES DO - UR - https://ajtmbr.org.ng/index.php/home/article/view/32 SP - 89-94 AB - <p><strong>Background:</strong> Head and neck injuries with associated laryngeal trauma appear to be on the increase&nbsp;nowadays with most patients presenting with features of acute upper airway obstruction. This&nbsp;study determined the sources of laryngeal trauma, clinical profile, complications and management&nbsp;outcome.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods:</strong> This was a retrospective study carried out in the University of PortHarcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Case notes of patients that presented through the accident&nbsp;and emergency department with neck trauma involving the larynx and surrounding tissues&nbsp;between September 2004 and August 2009 were retrieved and used for this study. Out of 200&nbsp;patients only 68 had neck trauma with laryngeal involvement. Patients who had laryngeal trauma<br>from corrosives were excluded from this study. Demographic data, cause of injury, clinical&nbsp;features, complications and outcome of treatment were recorded and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 200 patients with various neck traumas, 68 (34%) were noted to have laryngeal&nbsp;involvement. The age range of the patients was 15-65years. The younger age groups were mostly&nbsp;affected, especially males. Gunshot wounds and Road Traffic Accident (RTA) dominated (n=58,&nbsp;85.30%) the picture and presenting with upper airway obstruction. Majority (n=60, 88.24%) of&nbsp;patients were successfully managed without complication. No mortality was recorded in our series&nbsp;but a few (n=8, 11.76%) had chronic laryngotracheal stenosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Trauma to the larynx arising from gunshot wounds to the neck due to violence was&nbsp;found to be a major problem among the youth in Port Harcourt. Government intervention with&nbsp;gainful employment and provision of infrastructure are strongly advised to reduce the incidence of<br>laryngeal trauma.</p> ER -