title: Penetrating neck wounds: is evidence of chest injury an indication for exploration?
abstract: A total of 94 patients who sustained a penetrating wound in the neck had evidence of chest penetration. Using a policy of selective management 19 were explored. All patients with important vascular injury were hypotensive on admission or had an expanding haematoma. There were no complications in the 75 patients who were managed conservatively. Penetration of the chest is not an indication for exploration in neck wounds.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Unit, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Knottenbelt
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: van der Spuy
mesh_terms: D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000293:injuries; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D019838:Neck Injuries; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*