Trauma can cause a tear or perforation of the pharynx. If the perforation goes undetected, then a number of complications can occur.
Sources of pharyngeal penetration:
(1) penetrating neck trauma
(2) foreign body impaction
(3) blunt trauma
(4) barotrauma
(5) iatrogenic (intubation, endoscopy, cervical surgery, other)
Risk factors for complications:
(1) delay in recognition and management
(2) larger perforation
Complications may include:
(1) retropharyngeal abscess
(2) mediastinitis
(3) compromise of the airway
(4) tracheopharyngeal fistula
(5) cervical necrotizing fasciitis
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Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Emergency Medicine
