A reappraisal of penetrating neck injury management.
Seventy-five patients with penetrating neck injuries were reviewed. A policy of routine neck exploration for all wounds violating the platysma resulted in a 56% negative exploration rate. All patients with serious injuries had overt clinical signs preoperatively. A policy of selective exploration is discussed.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000293:injuries; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*