Penetrating neck wounds: a review of 218 cases

A series of 218 patients with penetrating wounds of the neck is presented. The overall mortality rate was 8 per cent. One hundred seventy-five patients were explored promptly after admission; 60 per cent had structural damage present within the neck. Six of the patients without signs or symptoms to suggest injury beneath the platysma had injury demonstrated at exploration. Of 38 patients who were observed, only one developed a significant late complication. Thirty-four per cent of the patients had associated extracervical injuries; 38 per cent developed one of more complications during their hospitalization. Negative neck explorations were not associated with an increase in morbidity or prolonged hospital stay. In our hospital, early exploration of all wounds that penetrate the platysma appears to be the best approach for management of penetrating neck wounds.