Nonoperative Management of Bronchial Injury in a 21-Month-Old Child

Bronchial laceration is an uncommon complication of blunt trauma in children. Treatment of bronchial laceration has involved thoracotomy with primary repair of the bronchial injury or nonoperative management with tube thoracostomy. We report a 21-month-old boy who sustained a large tear of the right upper lobe bronchus after an automobile/pedestrian accident in whom nonoperative management resulted in a favorable outcome. The relevant literature is reviewed, and an algorithm for management is proposed.