A 44-year-old man injured in a motor vehicle accident in rural Australia was resuscitated at a local hospital 9 hours later. Bronchoscopy revealed a large tracheal tear. After transfer to the regional cardiothoracic center, surgery was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass 18 hours after the injury was sustained. The patient required surgical tracheostomy as well as ventilatory and inotropic support. There were no postoperative complications and he was discharged after 27 days.
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