title: Epidemiological features and management of complex neck trauma from an ENT surgeon's perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to present a clear picture of the epidemiological aspects pertaining to the cases of neck trauma addressing to the ENT Emergency Room, as well as to display the complexity of the diagnostic and therapeutic management employed in two important Romanian ENTDepartments - „Sfantul Spiridon” Hospital Iasi and SfantaMaria Hospital Bucharest
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study on 538 patients with neck trauma that were referred to the abovementioned ENT Departments between March 2009 – March 2011, selecting 27 cases with forensic implications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In terms of aetiological mechanism, the most frequentneck injuries in our study were penetrating neck injuries due to assault or self-mutilation with white weapons (knives, razor blades, forks, glass) - 56%, followed by blunt trauma cases due to car accident, strangulation or accidental fall – 44%. The most important clinical findings recorded at admission were polytraumas (24.14%), hematomas, fractures, subcutaneous emphysema or skin perforation with visceral damages(representing each 13.8%) and tissue rip (10.34%), important bleedings (6.89%), as well as perforation of neck organs(3.45%). The most frequent postoperative complications were postoperative pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (7.4%) and laryngotrachealstenosis (7.4%). There were also 3 other patients with long-term complications, such as acute mediastinitis (3.4%)recurrential paralysis with Gerhardt's syndrome (3.4%) and dysphagia (3.4%).
authors.affiliation: Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sfantul Spiridon Emergency Clinic Hospital, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cobzeanu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palade
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010036:Otolaryngology; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*