title: [Penetrating injuries of the head and neck region - a potentially life threatening situation].
abstract: Penetrating Injuries of the Head and Neck Region - A Potentially Life Threatening Situation Background: Cuts, stabs and gunshot wounds in the head and neck region are potentially life-threatening because of the high risk of vascular lesions. A consistent emergency management is usually based on an operative exploration of the wound with effective reconstruction of viable structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Various penetrating injuries of the head and neck region are described in 11 cases with respect of age, gender, course of events of injury, type of injury, involved structures, diagnostic and operative procedures and outcome and compared with current literature and guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 10 of 11 patients, in the context of an interdisciplinary emergency room management, CT angiography was performed following clinical examination. A surgical exploration and wound treatment was performed in 9 of these patients. The common carotid artery, the external carotid artery and large venous blood vessels of the neck were injured in 2 cases respectively. None of the patients deceased or suffered permanent damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcome of deep head and neck lesions with relevant vascular trauma is determined by a rapid and interdisciplinary approach. A rapid, systematic and interdisciplinary approach in specialized trauma centers has a significant role in ensuring that patients with penetrating wounds in the head and neck -region rarely die due to their serious injury or their consequences.
authors: Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Greve
authors: Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm.
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Schuler
authors: Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg, Standort Marburg, Marburg.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mandapathil
authors: Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenklinik, Universitätsklinik Essen, Essen.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Dominas
authors: Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Veit
authors: Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bas
authors: Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenklinik, Universitätsklinik Essen, Essen.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Lehnerdt
authors: Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm.
authors: T K
authors: TK
authors: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult