How can we approach a left-sided stab wound in the neck, with isolated tracheal laceration?

Abstract

Any penetrating trauma to the mediastinum may cause great vessel damage resulting in massive bleeding or even shock. Associated tracheal injury increases morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a penetrating mediastinal injury with isolated tracheal laceration. The stab entered in the left supraclavicular fossa. The patient presented with right-sided pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and respiratory collapse. Bronchoscopy revealed two injuries in the trachea that were repaired by right thoracotomy and left cervicotomy. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 6. Isolated thoracic tracheal injury is very rare in mediastinal stab wounds and operative strategy may change according to bronchoscopic findings.