Surgical treatment of acute blunt laryngeal injuries.

The best management of acute laryngeal fractures is an approach which promotes healing by primary intention and does not require the use of a lumen keeper or core mold. This presenentation outlines the theoretical considerations and practical steps which make it possible to achieve these goals. The basic emphasis is on proper diagnosis, good surgical exposure and proper wound management. Also included are some ideas about the special anatomical and physiological characteristics of the larynx which make it difficult to obtain primary healing. The material presented is a synthesis of pertinent basic laryngologic research, wound healing theory and clinical experience.