Successful Conservative Management of Penetrating Cervical Tracheal Injury: A Case Report

Abstract

Penetrating tracheal injuries are rare but potentially life-threatening, often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This case report presents the successful conservative management of a 21-year-old male who sustained a penetrating cervical injury involving the trachea. The patient was admitted to the emergency department following an assault with a sharp object (screwdriver). Initial clinical examination revealed severe tachypnea, subcutaneous emphysema, and bilateral pneumothorax, confirmed by a computed tomography (CT) scan. The scan further revealed a small tracheal wound (less than 1 cm) and associated pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium.

This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and highlights that conservative management, in select cases of tracheal injuries, can lead to favorable outcomes without surgery.