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The vocal cords guard access to the respiratory tract, and are responsible for phonation. Wounds to the vocal cords are thus serious in terms of immediate and long-term consequences, and require careful and adequate treatment to preserve life and to maintain function.
Penetrating neck injury is responsible for up to 70% of laryngeal injuries, and may be due to knifing, or gunshot wounds. The latter may cause vocal cord disruption either by penetration or by the blast wave.
Blunt neck injury is also responsible for many injuries to the vocal cords. Of the blunt neck injuries, 85% of laryngeal injuries are due to motor vehicle accidents. Other causes include compression of the larynx between a foreign object such as a clothesline, steering wheel or dashboard, and the anterior aspect of the cervical spine. Crushing and strangulation injuries can also result in indirect injury to the vocal cords.
Symptoms of trauma to the vocal cords include:
Diagnosis of vocal cord trauma is made on the basis of an adequate history with questions directed at eliciting signs and symptoms of this condition, with imaging techniques such as plain radiographs, CT scanning and endoscopic visualization of the larynx. CT imaging is often helpful in differentiating injuries which need immediate treatment by surgical closure, from those which may be observed, such as minor lacerations of the laryngeal mucosa.
Successful treatment depends upon early diagnosis, and managing the airway injury in time. Restoration and maintenance of respiratory airflow in case of obstruction usually requires tracheotomy under local anesthesia.
Intubation and cricothyrotomy are considered hazardous. Direct laryngoscopy is essential to visualize the laryngeal structures and soft tissues, while esophagoscopy will help evaluate the pharynx and esophagus. Associated skeletal laryngeal injuries must be set. Where the vocal cords are massively injured, or there is a disruption of the anterior commissure, endolaryngeal stenting is required.
Pediatric vocal cord injuries are more likely to endanger life because of the smaller space available for airflow in children. Most cases require tracheotomy.