title: Management of cervical aerodigestive injuries.
abstract: The management of patients with cervical injuries is highly controversial. Some authorities advocate mandatory exploration for all such injuries, while others advocate selective exploration. This paper will objectively review the evidence supporting each approach. The non-operative approach may be pursued through a variety of diagnostic modalities and this paper will also review the evidence supporting their use in cervical trauma. A clear understanding of these modalities and their relative merits is mandated by the potential severity of cervical injuries and their need for rapid intervention.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Critical Care, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Velmahos
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004064:Digestive System / Q000293:injuries*; D004322:Drainage; D004630:Emergencies; D004724:Endoscopy; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000293:injuries; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000293:injuries*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries; D014139:Tracheostomy