Penetrating injuries of the neck: criteria for exploration.
One hundred thirty-six patients with penetrating injuries of the neck over a 4-year period were studied prospectively. Seventy-two patients (52.9%) had no major physical signs on admission, 56 were observed without complications, and 16 had a negative exploration. Injuries below the level of the cricoid cartilage were associated with a very high mortality (12.12%). We recommend a policy of selective conservatism in the management of penetrating neck injuries.
D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries; D002422:Causalgia / Q000209:etiology; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries; D005260:Female; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000293:injuries; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000293:injuries; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery