Tracheal RuptureSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Tracheal Rupture
A tracheal or bronchial rupture is a tear or break in the windpipe (trachea) or bronchial tubes, the major airways leading to the lungs. A tear can also occur in the tissue lining the windpipe.
Torn tracheal mucosa; Bronchial rupture
The injury may be caused by:
- Infections
- Sores (ulcerations) due to foreign objects
- Trauma, such as a gunshot wound or automobile accident
Injuries to the trachea or bronchi also may occur during medical procedures (for example, bronchoscopy or placement of a breathing tube). However, this is very uncommon.
People with trauma who develop a tracheal or bronchial rupture often have other injuries.
Symptoms may include:
- Coughing up blood
- Bubbles of air that can be felt underneath the skin of the chest, neck, arms, and trunk (subcutaneous emphysema)
- Difficulty breathing
People who have had a trauma will need to have their injuries treated. Injuries to the trachea often need to be repaired during surgery. Injuries to the smaller bronchi can sometimes be treated without surgery. A collapsed lung is treated with a chest tube connected to suction, which re-expands the lung.
For people who have breathed a foreign body into the airways, bronchoscopy may be used to take out the object.
Antibiotics are used in people with an infection in the part of the lung around the injury.
OSF Medical Group - Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck
Guy Petruzzelli is an Otolaryngologist practicing medicine in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Petruzzelli is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tracheal Rupture. He is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Tracheal Rupture, Hyperparathyroidism, Tongue Cancer, Laryngectomy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Petruzzelli is board certified in American Board Of Otolaryngology - Head And Neck Surgery.
Manuel Struck practices practicing medicine in Hannover, Germany. Mr. Struck is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Tracheal Rupture. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Tracheal Rupture, Mediastinitis, Cardiac Tamponade, Endovascular Embolization, and Liver Embolization.
Jefferson Otolaryngology (ENT) - Honickman Center
Adam Luginbuhl is an Otolaryngologist practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Luginbuhl is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tracheal Rupture. He is also highly rated in 32 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), Throat Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, Laryngectomy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Luginbuhl is board certified in Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery and Otolaryngology. Dr. Luginbuhl is currently accepting new patients.
The outlook of an injury due to trauma depends on the severity of other injuries. Operations to repair these injuries often have good results. The outlook is always better if the person does not have many chronic medical conditions. The outlook is good for people whose tracheal or bronchial disruption is due to causes such as a foreign object, which tend to have a good outcome.
In the months or years after the injury, scarring at the injury site may cause problems, such as narrowing, which require other tests or procedures.
Major complications after surgery for this condition include:
- Infection
- Long-term need of a ventilator
- Narrowing of the airways
- Scarring
Contact your provider if you have:
- Had a major injury to the chest
- Inhaled a foreign body
- Symptoms of a chest infection
- The feeling of air bubbles underneath your skin and trouble breathing
Published Date: August 19, 2024
Published By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Martyak MT, Britt LD. Penetrating neck injuries. In: Asensio JA, Meredith JW, eds. Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:174-181.
White V, Ruparelia P. Respiratory disease. In: Feather A, Randall D, Waterhouse M, eds. Kumar and Clarke's Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 28.