SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Demetriades D, Theodorou D, Cornwell E, Asensio J, Belzberg H, Velmahos G, Murray J, Berne TV. J. Trauma 1996; 40(5): 758-760.

Affiliation

Division of Trauma, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, 90033, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8614075

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that all transcervical gunshot wounds should be explored surgically because of the high incidence of injuries to vital structures. The present prospective study investigated the clinical presentation, the role of various diagnostic investigations, and the need for surgery in patients with transcervical gunshot injuries. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients sustained gunshot injuries to the neck and 33 of them (34%) were transcervical. All victims were assessed clinically according to a written protocol and subsequently were evaluated angiographically, and, in the appropriate case, by means of endoscopy and esophagography. RESULTS: Overall, 24 (73%) of the 33 patients with transcervical gunshot wounds had injuries to cervical structures. Vascular injuries were found in 48%, spinal cord injuries in 24%, and aerodigestive tract injuries in 6% of patients with transcervical injuries. In the 64 patients without midline crossing, the incidence of cervical structure injuries was 31%. Despite the high incidence of injuries to cervical structures in transcervical wounds, only 21% of the patients had a therapeutic operation. The overall mortality was 3%. There were no in-hospital deaths or local complications in the nonoperatively managed group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study do not support the current recommendations of mandatory operation for all transcervical gunshot wounds. A careful clinical examination combined with the appropriate diagnostic investigations should determine the treatment modality. About 80% of these patients can safely be managed nonoperatively.


Language: en

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print