TITLE:
Post-Traumatic Tracheal Tear in a Child: Conservative Management of a Case at the Kolda Regional Hospital Center
AUTHORS:
Fallou Niang, Birame Loum, Faty Fall, Abdoul Niane, Abdoulaye Diop, Amadou Korca Diallo, Oumar Abdallah Mbaye, Khady Touré, Elh Abdou Aziz Ndao, Chandra Princia, Bay Karim Diallo
KEYWORDS:
Subcutaneous Emphysema, Trauma, Tracheal Breach
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery,
Vol.15 No.1,
January
9,
2026
ABSTRACT: Closed cervical trauma is rare in children, but its potential severity lies in the risk of airway injury. Closed cervical trauma from direct impact is uncommon because the neck is protected from direct trauma by the head, chest, and shoulders. Post-traumatic tracheal rupture is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency, often unrecognized due to the subtlety of external signs. Cervicothoracic CT scan remains the key diagnostic test, especially in the absence of endoscopic resources, allowing for precise localization. We report the case of a child with a post-traumatic tracheal rupture from a recreational accident, treated conservatively. The outcome was uncomplicated. This case highlights the therapeutic challenges in our regions and emphasizes the importance of appropriate management. In light of this clinical case and a review of the literature, we propose a review of this condition and its management.