title: Oropharyngeal impalement on a wrought iron fence.
abstract: Oropharyngeal impalement is a potentially life-threatening injury with protean manifestations. Attention to airway obstruction and active hemorrhage take initial priority. Foreign bodies are not removed outside the operating room unless they are causing immediately life-threatening compromise. The majority of injuries that cause thrombosis of the internal carotid artery are in the peritonsillar region of the lateral palate. These patients typically have a delayed onset of symptoms, sometimes more than 24 hours, so close observation is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131-5341.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Clevenger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*