Is tracheostomy suitable for securing airway after facial fi rearm injuries？

摘要

cqvip:BACKGROUND： Head and neck region have many vital structures, and facial fi rearm injuries（FFIs） more likely lead to life-threatening situations than other body injuies. These injuries have highpotential of airway compromise associated with signifi cant morbidity and mortality.METHODS： We describe an 11-year-old boy who had received tracheostomy after a FFIcomplicated with pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema 8 hours after the procedure. Thepatient was treated at the Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Gazi University School ofMedicine, Turkey.RESULTS： The patient was discharged without any complications from the Critical Care Unitafter treatment for fi ve days.CONCLUSIONS： Airway management is of utmost importance in resuscitation of FFI, butit is always difficult to secure via the orotracheal route due to the deformed facial structures.Tracheostomy is an option for airway management in FFI affecting head and neck region. However,tracheostomy may be associated with life-threatening complications, which should be closelymonitored with early intervention.