[Blunt neck trauma--the danger of secondary respiratory insufficiency]

It is very difficult to properly assess a lesion of the kind represented by the contuse trauma of the neck, if such assessment has to be effected at the site of the accident. It is a characteristic feature of such a trauma that even hours or days after the accident, acute respiratory insufficiency may suddenly appear if there is an interruption of continuity of the respiratory tract. X-ray and endoscopic findings are mandatory directly after the accident even if it looks as though there are only few signs or symptoms. In case of indication of surgery, all the necessary measures must be taken before initiating anaesthesia to avoid any complications which may be due to hypoxia and aspiration. A case report is given to illustrate the possible discrepancy between the signs immediately after the accident and the findings made later.