DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2021.v09i06.008

Pages: 645-647

Tracheobronchial Injury is a relatively uncommon condition which is associated with high mortality. Majority occurring from blunt chest trauma sustained from deceleration injury in road traffic accidents. We present a case of a 17-year-old young male who presented in the acute setting of post motorcycle accident with respiratory distress, subcutaneous emphysema, right pneumothorax and fracture of posterior right 8th-9th ribs. CT shows right main bronchus anterior wall tear, with extensive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, bilateral pneumothorax and pneumoperitoneum. Thoracotomy confirmed the findings. Lacerated segment of right lower lobe bronchus was resected and (end-to-end) anastomosis was performed. Post-surgery was complicated with empyema thoracis which required decortication. Early detection and prompt surgical repair is fundamental and carries a high success rate in tracheobronchial injuries, however post-surgery complications need to be entertained and managed adequately to ensure safe outcome.