@article{ref1,
title="Transcervical gunshot injuries",
journal="American journal of surgery",
year="1994",
author="Hirshberg, A. and Wall, M. J. and Johnston, R. H. Jr and Burch, J. M. and Mattox, Kenneth L.",
volume="167",
number="3",
pages="309-312",
abstract="Gunshot injuries across the cervical midline are not addressed in existing trauma algorithms. A retrospective study of 41 patients with transcervical gunshot wounds was undertaken to delineate injury patterns and management principles. Thirty-four of the 41 patients (83%) sustained 52 injuries to major cervical structures. Vascular (22 injuries) and upper airway (13 injuries) structures were most commonly involved. This resulted in presentation with life-threatening problems in 16 patients (39%). The in-hospital mortality was 10%. In 30 of the 36 neck explorations (83%), the findings were positive for injuries to cervical structures. Sixteen bilateral explorations were performed; in each case, cervical injury was observed on at least one side of the neck. These results indicate that transcervical injuries are excellent markers of associated visceral injury. Therefore, a policy of mandatory neck exploration and a particularly &quot;low threshold&quot; for bilateral exploration are the key to managing these injuries.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0002-9610",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}