The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care · 1980 · 66 citations · 0 references
MedicineNeck SurgerySurgeryTrauma CareCervical TraumaNeck AssessmentNeck DissectionPenetrating Trauma CareBlunt Neck TraumaClinical Signs DetectionPenetrating Cervical TraumaPenetrating Head InjuryPenetrating Neck TraumaPenetrating Pharyngeal TraumaPositive Clinical Signs
Seventy-five patients with penetrating neck injuries were reviewed. A policy of routine neck exploration for all wounds violating the platysma resulted in a 56% negative exploration rate. All patients with serious injuries had overt clinical signs preoperatively. A policy of selective exploration is discussed.