How do you treat penetrating neck injury?
Cricothyotomy and tracheotomy are the two most commonly used procedures for severe neck trauma. We recommend cricothyrotomy as the first surgical airway of choice, as it is the most direct, simple and safe way of bypassing upper airway obstruction or injury.
How should you treat a penetrating injury?
Expose the patient to locate the origin of bleeding, and bandage the site of penetration. If bandaging does not adequately control bleeding, place manual pressure on the site of penetration and the local pressure point. This will slow down blood loss until the patient receives surgical intervention in the hospital.
Which of the following is used to define penetrating neck injury?
Penetrating neck trauma involves a missile or sharp object penetrating the skin and violating the platysma layer of the neck. This includes gunshot wounds, stab or puncture wounds, and impalement injuries.
What is neck exploration?
Procedure: Anterior Sternocleidomastoid Incision to Expose the Major Structures of the Neck. Similar to the incision used for elective carotid endarterectomies. Extension to a (partial) median sternotomy might be necessary for lower tracheal and superior mediastinal injuries.
What are the different neck zones in penetrating neck injuries?
The neck has been divided into threes zones. Zone I, including the thoracic inlet, up to the level of the cricothyroid membrane, is treated as an upper thoracic injury. Zone III, above the angle of the mandible, is treated as a head injury. Zone II, between zones I and III, is the area of controversy.
Which type of injury requires immediate surgery?
Life-threatening problems that can require immediate surgical intervention include: Heart emergencies — heart attacks, aortic dissection, and aneurysms. Spinal cord and brain injuries — brain hemorrhaging (bleeding), skull fracture, spinal cord compression, and back and neck fractures.
What is an example of a penetrating injury?
Penetrating trauma is an injury caused by a foreign object piercing the skin, which damages the underlying tissues and results in an open wound. The most common causes of such trauma are gunshots, explosive devices, and stab wounds.
How does someone get infected from penetrating injuries?
Skin penetrating injuries can introduce infectious agents directly into the blood stream, e.g. tetanus and blood borne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. It is very important that skin penetrating injuries are minimised e.g. through safe handling and disposal of sharps.
Can penetrating wounds bleed?
A puncture wound, such as from stepping on a nail, doesn’t usually cause much bleeding. But these wounds are often deep and can be dangerous because of the risk of infection. To take care of a puncture wound: Wash your hands.
What penetrating neck zones are at the greatest risk of mortality?
The mortality rate for penetrating neck injuries is as high as 10%. The most common cause of death from penetrating neck trauma is a vascular injury. The area of highest risk is injuries at the base of the neck, in zone 1.
What is the most commonly injured structure in the neck?
The cervical spine is the most vulnerable to injury because of its mobility and exposure. 10% of patients with C-spine fractures will have a second noncontiguous vertebral fracture. 5% of brain injuries have an associated C-spine injury.
Can a neck injury be fatal?
Cervical spinal cord injuries often involve permanent complete or partial loss of sensory function , and many associated complications. As is the case with all injuries of the spinal cord, injuries located higher on the spine will be more severe, with high cervical spinal cord injury often being fatal.