A Study on Surgical Exploration Of Penetrating Neck Trauma Cases

Penetrating neck trauma is increasingly becoming a common occurrence in the urban scenario. Such cases are frequently presenting in tertiary care hospitals. They may be accidental in nature or may be the result of an attempted homicide or suicide. Our study done in a tertiary care hospital attempts to assess the importance and efficacy of immediate surgical exploration of such injuries. A total of 34 cases presenting over a period of two years were included in the study. They were subjected to immediate surgical exploration and repair. No preoperative radiological investigations were done due to urgency of the presentation. The patients were followed up for a minimum period of three months. At the end of the study period the nature of outcome of this form of management and occurrence of any complications were noted. Our study concluded that immediate surgical exploration and repair of penetrating injuries is an appropriate approach and has minimal long term complications.