title: Selective management of penetrating neck wounds.
abstract: Of 67 patients with penetrating neck wounds admitted to the hospital between 1969 and 1979, 22 (32.8%) were taken to the operating room and 14 (63.6%) were found to have major structural damage. Three patients died (4.4%), all as a direct result of their associated head injuries and none as a result of their neck wounds, regardless of management. Five patients (7.4%) had complications. The average hospital stay for patients undergoing surgery was 4.9 days; for those observed with multiple injuries, 4.6 days; and for those observed with isolated neck wounds, 2.4 days. Indications for selective exploration are presented.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries; D009516:New Mexico; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy