The management of transpharyngeal gunshot wounds to the cervical spine

Management to prevent cervical osteomyelitis in transpharyngeal gunshot wounds which involve the cervical spine consists of triple endoscopy to identify the pharyngeal injury, anteroposterior and lateral view roentgenograms to localize the injury to the cervical spine, administration of penicillin and gentamicin intravenously, exploration of the neck and repair of pharyngeal wounds, debridement of the cervical spine and external immobilization of the spine for six weeks. This management protocol has proved successful in five patients.