Factors associated with early complications of surgical management due to penetrating laryngotracheal trauma in Colombia

Abstract

Background: This investigation aimed to describe factors associated with early complications of surgical management due to penetrating laryngotracheal trauma in Colombia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive and retrospective cohort study was carried out; bivariate analysis using Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact test was utilized to find associations with morbidity outcomes. Results: Between 2005 and 2019, 50 patients with penetrating laryngotracheal injuries underwent surgery; the median age was 29.5 years (interquartile ranges = 24.0–39.7), wherein 92% were male. The trachea was the most affected organ in 74% of patients, and lesions associated with laryngotracheal trauma were reported in 50% of patients. Cervicotomy was the surgical approach in 92% of patients. The 30-day overall morbidity was 24%, and mortality was 6%; dehiscence of the primary repair, or anastomosis, was present in 10% of the patients: 2% partial and 8% complete. Dehiscence was associated with infection (P = 0.002). Early stenosis was described in 10% of the patients; association was found between stenosis and dehiscence (P = 0.001), infection (P = 0.001), and reoperation (P = 0.001). Finally, infection was present in 8% of the patients and was indeed associated to the requirement of postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization (P = 0.003). Conclusions: Limited information is available about factors related to early complications in laryngotracheal trauma. Nonetheless, in this series, a statistically significant association was found between early dehiscence of the primary repair, or anastomosis, and infection. Moreover, early stenosis was associated with dehiscence, infection, and reoperation. Finally, early infection was associated with the requirement of postoperative ICU hospitalization.