Penetrating Neck Injuries: from ER to OR

Neck contains several vital structures, in a small close space, in complex relationship to each other, and unprotected by any bony framework. Any injury to this crucial region, hence mostly becomes an acute emergency. Appropriately managing the same has always been a point of constant discussion amongst head and neck surgeons. The basic aim of the study was to discuss the management, comorbidities, prognosis and associated complications encountered in a series of patients with penetrating neck trauma (piercing platysma), presenting to the emergency over a period of 1 year. Combat injuries and patients declared as brought dead at the time of first examination were excluded. This was a retrospective study of patients with cut throat injury, managed at a tertiary center of northern India from June 2014 to September 2015. Following management in the ER as per ATLS guidelines, all patients were then operated for specific injuries. Graph pad software was used for statistical analysis. Of the 15 patients studied in total, 11 (73.3%) were males. The mean patient age was 33.67 years. Mean duration of presentation was 20.85 h. 60% patients had homicidal injuries. Tracheostomy and Ryle's tube insertion was done in 8 (53.3%) patients. Exploration and surgical repair was done in all patients without any mortality. 4 patients developed post-operative complications. Mean duration of hospital stay was 9.2 days. Immediate resuscitation followed by exploration and primary repair is a must in all patients of penetrating neck injury.