Manal Saeed Albogami
Taif University, KSA
Title: Conservative management of traumatic tracheobronchial injury
Biography
Biography: Manal Saeed Albogami
Abstract
Introduction: Airway injuries are life threatening conditions. A very little number of patients suffering air injuries are transferred live at the hospital. The diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion based on the presence of non-specific for these injuries symptoms and signs and a thorough knowledge of the mechanisms of injury. The purpose of this study is to describe and assess the effectiveness of conservative treatment as the chosen treatment for tracheobronchial injury management. This is a retrospective and descriptive study, which took place at a single center. Patients & Methods: We collected retrospectively the data between 2009 and 2015 for those patents that were admitted with tracheal injury and managed conservatively. The diagnosis was made using Chest X-ray, CT& Bronchoscopy. Results: We treated 10 tracheobronchial injuries 6 bronchial (4 of them were on the right side & 2 on the left) and 4 tracheal. The extension of the tears was 5-10 cm. All of them underwent conservative treatment. Indications: Critically ill patients, small lacerations (<2 cm), and refusal of operation. It consists in endotracheal intubation for 5-21 days. In the entire patient a tube’s cuff inflated distally to the site of the injury, adequate ventilation with PEEP and low tidal volumes, evacuation of the air form the pleural cavity using a chest tube in place, this way we prevent pressure peaks as well as retention achieving a continuous control. Post extubation there was neither stenosis nor megatrachea. Conclusion: According to our experience, conservative treatment is safe and shows mortality as low as or lower than operative procedures.