MANAGEMENT OF CUT-THROAT INJURIES- OUR EXPERIENCES
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 17
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cut-throat injuries of the neck are one of the emergencies encountered in the emergency department. Neck contains multiple vital structures with little anatomic protection from overlying bone, muscle and soft tissue. These injuries may be suicidal, homicidal or accidental. Familial troubles, psychiatric illness and poverty are the triggering factors in suicidal attempts. Motives of homicide include political conflict, sex related crimes, familial/land disputes etc. The cut injury in suicidal cases is not so deep, whereas it may involve vital structures in homicidal injuries. The management and prognosis differ in injuries of different areas of neck. Expeditious decision-making often is required. Compounding difficulties in evaluation and management is the result of complicated anatomy of the neck. Aims and Objectives- To study the nature of injury, mean period of hospital stay, treatment outcomes and prognosis of cut-throat injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a case series conducted from 1st July 2016 to 31st January 2018, who had cut-throat injuries. The patients coming to the emergency department were selected, examined and managed. RESULTS Cut-throat injuries commonly involve adults of 3rd and 4th decade. In our study of 18 patients, 14 were males and 4 were females with male: female ratio being 3.5: 1. Among 18 patients of cut-throat injuries majority of them were homicidal (7) followed by suicidal (6) and then accidental (5). Cut-throat injuries most often involve zone-II, i.e. from lower border of cricoid to angle of mandible, as it is the most accessible part of the neck. In our study zone-II injuries dominated with 83% followed by zone-I with 11% and zone-III by 6%. CONCLUSION Cut-throat injuries may show various degrees of severity, nevertheless, no cervical trauma should be underestimated in spite of minimal trauma. Surgical exploration is invariably the preferred treatment in our experience. Diagnostic work-up of neck injuries is difficult in most of the cases and is dependent on vital signs, neurological status and location of the wound. Tracheostomy should be done prior to exploration and repair of laryngeal injuries.
Authors and Affiliations
Prathap Kumar Kukkapalli, Khalilulla S
Keywords
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- EP ID EP415200
- DOI 10.14260/jemds/2018/479
- Views 93
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