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Less than one percent of trauma admission cases are categorized as pediatric neck trauma [13] . Nevertheless, due to an increasingly mobile society, there has been an increasing frequency of pediatric neck trauma with motor vehicle accidents being the most common mechanism of injury [8] . We present a case of laryngotracheal separation from a blunt, clothesline injury to the neck in a pediatric patient. We also review the literature and discuss the benefit of balloon airway dilation and its assistance in the management of laryngeal trauma and its resultant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study Sialorrhoea and chronic salivary aspiration are a major problem in many neurologically impaired children causing embarrassment, skin issues and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of salivary gland surgery in the treatment of chronic salivary aspiration in such children. Objectives To compare admission rates for LRTI per annum before and after surgical intervention. Methods Retrospective review of all patients who underwent salivary management surgery for chronic aspiration under Princess Margaret Hospital's (PMH) Otolaryngology department from 2006 until 2013. Results Twelve patients were included in this review. Their ages ranged from 3 to 21 years (mean = 11.4). Their genders were equally distributed. Two patients had underlying congenital disorders; one had an acquired brain injury, while the majority ( n = 9, 75%) had cerebral palsy secondary to a sustained perinatal injury. Most patients ( n = 11, 91.7%) had bilateral submandibular gland excision and parotid duct ligation as a primary procedure. One patient had a laryngotracheal separation. Two patients went on to have a second procedure. The mean follow up time was five years. Using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test we showed that the median rate of admission per annum for LRTI pre-operatively was 1.0. This was reduced to 0.5 post-operatively, which was statistically significant ( p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions We hypothesize that the combination of bilateral submandibular gland excision and bilateral parotid duct ligation is effective in reducing admissions with aspiration pneumonia in neurologically impaired children, and therefore improves the quality of life in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To examine the presentation, mechanisms, and management of blunt laryngotracheal trauma in a pediatric population, emphasizing the rise in severity. Design: Retrospective analysis of laryngotracheal trauma evaluated from 1995 to 2008. The presentation, mechanism, management and outcomes data are detailed. Setting: Tertiary medical center. Patients: Thirty-five patients were identified with major laryngotracheal trauma. Main outcome measures: Surgical results, airway patency, voicing, swallowing and other residual disabilities are tabulated. Results: Average age was 10.8 years, with boys outnumbering girls 22–13. In cases of major trauma, mechanisms were related to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in seven patients. Five of 11 major trauma victims were unconscious at presentation. Definitive airway reconstruction involved laryngotracheoplasty and tracheal resection/reanastomosis. Ten of 11 remain decannulated. Conclusions: In an increasingly mobile society, major laryngotracheal trauma is occurring in a younger population. Victims of major laryngotracheal trauma may be unconscious or have other injuries that obscure airway injury, highlighting the need for vigilance. Once the airway is secured and the patient stabilized, airway reconstruction is undertaken, achieving decannulation in most patients. Hoarseness is often a lasting morbidity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: A developmentally delayed 11-year-old male developed extensive spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema 6 weeks after a laryngotracheal separation. Computed tomography demonstrated a small amount of air at the distal end of the laryngeal stump and significant esophageal air. Aerophagia was diagnosed with air presumed diverted through the laryngeal stump due to cricopharyngeal hypertension. Cricopharyngeal botulinum toxin injection was coordinated with a minimal neck dissection to drain the subcutaneous emphysema. The subcutaneous emphysema gradually improved and the patient was discharged home. His subcutaneous emphysema has not returned after four total botulinum toxin injections every 3 months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Intractable aspiration is a life-threatening medical problem. There are many surgical procedures for the treatment of intractable aspiration. Our experience with three children was reported here. After failing initial conservative measures, the first two patients had supraglottic laryngeal closure performed through an endoscopic approach with a small hole left superiorly for phonation. However, both of them developed dehiscence of the closure postoperatively, necessitating a more definitive procedure to stop the aspiration. Their symptoms of aspiration were only relieved after they underwent laryngotracheal separation. In the third child, laryngotracheal separation was performed as the initial procedure and the symptoms of recurrent aspiration were relieved. In conclusion, the treatment of intractable aspiration requires a definitive procedure from the outset and we would suggest, based on literature review and on our experience, that laryngotracheal separation is the most effective and reliable option, albeit lack of phonation is inevitable. A comprehensive review of all procedures used for treatment of this condition was also undertaken. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: Tracheo-innominate artery fistula (TIF) is a rare but life-threatening complication of tracheostomy. There are many reports about TIF but the mechanism of TIF formation remains poorly documented. Our objective is to investigate the TIF pathologically and suggest the possible mechanism of TIF formation. Patient and Methods: The patient was an 11-year old boy with a history of severe childhood epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and psychomotor retardation who died from TIF. We investigated the TIF histopathologically through his autopsy and reviewed bibliographical considerations. Results: Autopsy revealed massive blood aspiration from a large TIF and histopathological findings showed the following: (1) fibroepithelial polyps around the fistula; (2) squamous metaplasia of tracheal mucosa; (3) disappearance of tracheal cartilages and tracheal glands; and (4) arteritis (infiltration of neutrophils into the mesarterium and endarterium). Probably, (1) and (2) indicate chronic and repetitive irritations caused by cannula. (3) and (4) indicate intense inflammation caused by local infection. In this case, it is suggested that the chronic damage by cannula and the local infection resulted in the fistula formation and rupture of innominate artery. Conclusion: The present case suggests a pathogenesis in which chronic damage to the anterior tracheal wall by the cannula and consequent infection led to fistulation and rupture of the innominate artery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Laryngotracheal separation (LTS) is an effective and reliable definitive treatment for intractable aspiration. A major advantage of this treatment for intractable aspiration is its’ potential reversibility. Should the underlying disorder improve, a reversal of the procedure may be attempted. This has been successfully achieved in the adult population. To our knowledge, no previous cases have been reported of successful reversal of LTS in children. Methods: A retrospective review from 2003 to 2010 identified four cases of intractable aspiration treated with LTS in our department. Two of these patients displayed objective evidence of sufficient recovery of their underlying aspiration to consider reversal. Patient selection for reversal was dependent upon successful oral intake for 9 months along with videofluoroscopic evidence of normal or minimally impaired swallow. Results: Two children who were successfully treated for intractable aspiration with LTS demonstrated objective evidence of recovery sufficient to attempt reversal. Both children underwent successful surgical reversal of LTS using a cricotracheal resection with end-to-end anastamosis, similar to that used in treatment of subglottic stenosis. Both children can now tolerate oral diet and their speech and language development is in line with their overall developmental level. Conclusions: Laryngotracheal separation is an effective and reliable definitive treatment for intractable aspiration facilitating protection of the airway and allowing safe swallowing with unimpeded respiration, but with the major drawback of loss of phonation. To our knowledge, we document the first two cases of successful LTS reversal in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]