Rupture of bronchus due to chest trauma

Rupture of the tracheobronchial tree associated with thoracic trauma is a life threatening, rarely seen and hardly diagnosed condition. 25 years old male patient was hospitalized with complaints of dyspnea and right sided chest pain. He had history of traffic accident 3 months ago. PA chest X ray demonstrated total atelectasis of the right lung. Emergency fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed and showed that right main bronchus was almost totally obstructed with granulation tissue. The patient was operated with the diagnosis of stenosis due to fibrosis caused by bronchial rupture. The patient underwent sleeve upper lobectomy and was discharged from hospital after 11 days. The patient is under follow up without complaints. In conclusion, bronchial rupture can complicate blunt thoracic traumas and this should always be kept in mind. Treatment modality decision must be made according to the patients clinic condition.

Travmatik bronþiyal rüptür