Blunt laryngeal trauma associated with shoulder harness use.

A case of blunt laryngeal trauma secondary to use of a shoulder harness is presented. The patient, restrained with a lap and shoulder belt, was the occupant of an automobile involved in a rear-end collision. She presented with left anterior neck pain and two hours later developed hoarseness and hemoptysis. A laryngeal laceration, identified by laryngoscopy, was surgically repaired after tracheostomy. The patient had an uncomplicated hospital course and uneventful recovery.