title: Penetrating carotid arterial trauma.
abstract: Injury to the carotid arteries from penetrating occurred in 15 patients during a recent 4-year interval. Fourteen of the injuries involved the common and/or internal carotid arteries, while one isolated external carotid injury was also encountered. Gunshot wounds accounted for eight injuries (53%) and sharp-edged instruments for seven injuries (47%). Surgical management included six ligations and nine vascular repairs. Neurologic status was normal on admission in eight patients, all of whom did well. Seven patients had preoperative neurological deficits; all three mortalities occurred in these patients. Identification of a preoperative deficit is significant because it conferred a guarded prognosis. However, hypotension and even circulatory arrest did not preclude recovery.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000601:surgery