Classification of Schaefer and Fuhrman for Laryngeal Injury

The Schaefer-Fuhrman classification can be used to describe the severity of laryngeal trauma.

Patient selection: laryngeal trauma

Parameters:

(1) endolaryngeal soft tissue changes (ESTC)

(2) laryngeal mucosa

(3) laryngeal fracture

(4) vocal cord (VC) injury

(5) complete laryngotracheal separation (LTS)

ESTC	Mucosa	Fracture	VC Injury	LTS	Category
minor hematoma	intact	not detectable	no	no	I
edema and/or hematoma	minor tear	non-displaced	no	no	II
massive edema	disrupted	displaced with exposed cartilage	immobile	no	III
massive edema	massive trauma	NA	immobile	no	IV
massive edema	NA	2 or more fracture lines	immobile	no	IV
NA	NA	NA	NA	yes	V

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