Minibikes, a New Factor in Laryngotracheal Trauma

Abstract

The growing popularity of minibikes among adolescents is evident by the number of advertisements and participants. Potentially fatal injuries to the neck were observed among several minibike enthusiasts. Typically, a minibike rider with his neck in extension unexpectedly collides with a hidden wire or cable. With only abrasions or contusions on his neck, the subject arrives at the emergency room in extreme airway distress. Attempts to manipulate his neck for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or intubation produce greater air hunger. Only a low tracheotomy performed rapidly can save his life. The basic pathology in all cases encountered has been a laryngotracheal separation. Other associated injuries have been a fractured larynx, damaged recurrent laryngeal nerves, esophageal rupture and pneumothorax.

Management and Outcomes of Laryngeal Injuries in the Pediatric Population

“…Pediatric patients are inherently involved in fewer MVCs than are adults, and bicycle injuries, clothesline injuries, and falls onto objects are more frequent etiologic mechanisms. 1,16,17 Unfortunately, as emphasized by Wootten et al 5 in their review, the incidence of MVC-asso-ciated pediatric laryngeal injury is rising in concert with an increasingly mobile society. regardless, the incidence of pediatric laryngeal trauma secondary to MVCs is several orders smaller than that seen in the adult population, again leading to the overall infrequency of such injuries.…”

Resource Utilization and National Demographics of Laryngotracheal Trauma in Children

“…[8][9][10][11][12] However, the mechanism of injury has been changing over this period. While older studies have identified bicycles 8 and minibikes 13 as major causes of laryngotracheal trauma, a recent study 12 has found that motor vehicles are responsible for most of these injuries in today's society. Interestingly, the present study identified transportationrelated mechanisms (motor vehicle accidents, bicycles) as the etiology for only 18.7% of the injuries in this national data set.…”

Laryngeal Transection in a Patient after Hanging

“…Admitted patient with laryngotracheal injury present with specific signs including skin abrasions over anterior neck, dyspnea, hoarseness, subcutaneous crepitus, haemoptysis and dysphagia, 15 but their presence is variable 12,13,16,17 according to the extent of injury. Surgical emphysema may develop hours after the initial injury.…”