Comparison of Penetrating Neck Injury Management in Combat Versus Civilian Trauma: A Review of 55 Cases

The objective was to describe a case series of penetrating neck injuries (PNIs) and compare their management in combat versus civilian trauma. From 2012 to 2014, all soldiers and civilians referred to Percy Military Training Hospital for PNI were analyzed. The mechanism of injury, type and site of the lesion, and initial emergency management were noted. Among the 55 patients, 26 were wounded in action, and 29 were civilians. PNIs were commonly stab wounds resulting from an assault. Anatomical zone II, as well as the central neck compartment, was the most affected area. The most affected organ was the larynx. 74% of patients underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA), surgical exploration was performed for 42% of patients, and 33% of patients required intensive care unit monitoring. The differences between the two groups in terms of management were not statistically significant. The current management is based on clinical examination and CTA and is similar between soldiers and civilians. Surgical exploration is less commonly used than CTA, which is a fast and accurate method to evaluate PNI for stable patients. The classification by compartment seems more relevant than the classification by anatomical zone, particularly in absence of medical imaging.