Thyrohyoid membrane transection caused by a stab injury

• Main Authors: Dongsub Noh, Kwang Hee Yeo, Hyun Min Cho, Chan Yong Park
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2017-12-01
• Series: Trauma Case Reports
• Subjects: Damage control surgery; Hyoidothyroidopexy; Temporary wound closure; Thyrohyoid membrane transection
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352644017300596

Background: The thyrohyoid membrane is located between the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage. Transection of the thyrohyoid membrane can be fatal. Case presentation: A 54-year-old man presented to the emergency room after attempting to commit suicide by cutting his neck. An endotracheal tube was inserted through the thyrohyoid membrane, which had been cut almost completely. After a tracheostomy, temporary wound closure was performed due to coagulopathy caused by hemorrhagic shock. Several hours later, a hyoidothyroidopexy was performed. Damage control surgery was applied to this patient's neck injury. The tracheostomy tube was removed postoperatively and he was discharged without complications. Conclusion: Damage control surgery could be an option for airway injury with blood clotting problems due to massive bleeding after securing a patent airway.