title: Patterns and outcomes of traumatic neck injuries: A population-based observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to analyze the pattern and outcome of traumatic neck injury (TNI) in a small population.
  
  
  METHODS
  It is a retrospective analysis of all TNI patients who were admitted to the trauma center between 2008 and 2012. Patients' demographics, details of TNI, associated injuries, hospital course, and mortality were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 51 TNI cases were included revealing an overall incidence of 0.61/100,000 population. The mean age was 31 ± 9 years. The most frequent mechanism of injury was motor vehicle crash (29.4%) followed by stab (17.6%), machinery injury (17.6%), fall (9.8%), and assault (7.8%). Larynx, thyroid gland, trachea, jugular veins, and carotid were the commonly injured structures. The majority of cases had Zone II TNI whereas isolated injury was observed in 11 cases. TNI were mainly presented with active bleeding (38%), hypovolemic shock (16%) and respiratory distress (16%). Surgical interventions mainly included simple repair and closure (53%), vein ligation (12%), repair of major arteries (4%), tracheal repair (6%), larynx and hypopharynx repair (4%), and repair of parotid gland (2%). Neck exploration was performed in 88%, and emergency tracheostomy was required in 18% of cases. Overall mortality rate was 11.8%, of which five patients had associated injuries, and one had isolated TNI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TNI are not frequent but represent an alarming serious entity in Qatar. Patients with persistent signs of major injuries should undergo early operative interventions. Moreover, the effective injury prevention program should be developed to minimize these preventable injuries in the majority of cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Trauma Surgery Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Thani
authors.affiliation: Trauma Surgery, Clinical Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar ; Department of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Menyar
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Trauma Surgery Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Trauma Surgery Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Mahwish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khawar
authors.affiliation: Trauma Surgery, Clinical Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Trauma Surgery Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Husham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdelrahman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Trauma Surgery Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peralta
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Trauma Surgery Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parchani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Trauma Surgery Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar ; Department of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zarour
keywords: Complications; management; neck injury; outcome; trauma