Citation

Łochowski M, Kaczmarski J, Brzeziński D, Cieślik-Wolski B, Kozak J. Kardiochir. Torakochirurgia Pol. 2014; 11(1): 30-33.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Termedia)

DOI

10.5114/kitp.2014.41927

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Aim of the study is to present our own experiences in the treatment of people suffering from penetrating neck traumas. Material and methods: In the years 1996-2012, 10 patients with penetrating neck traumas were treated, including 3 women and 7 men. The patients' age ranged from 16 to 55 (the average age being 40.7 years). In 9 cases the wound was caused by cutting or stabbing, while in one case it was inflicted by a gunshot. In 8 patients it was a single cut wound, while one patient suffered from 34 stab wounds to the neck, chest and stomach. Two cut wounds resulted from a suicide attempt. The remaining injuries were the result of a crime.

RESULTS: All patients underwent immediate surgery, which involved revision of the neck wounds in 8 cases, one longitudinal sternotomy and one left-sided thoracotomy. The indications for surgery included increased subcutaneous emphysema in 5 patients, bleeding from the wound in 3 patients, and mediastinal hematoma in 2 patients. The damage assessed intraoperatively included tracheal damage in 6 patients, damage to carotid vessels in 3 patients, larynx in 2 patients, thoracic vessels in 2 patients, oesophagus in 1 patient and thyroid gland in 1 patient. In 9 patients, the treatment yielded positive results. The patient with a gunshot wound died during the surgery due to massive bleeding from the aorta.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with penetrating neck wounds, early and rapid diagnostics allows one to determine the indications for surgery and prevent serious fatal complications.

Language: en

Keywords

Gunshot wounds; Stab wounds; Mediastinal hematoma; Penetrating neck traumas; Revision of neck wounds; Subcutaneous emphysema