What penetrating neck zones are at the greatest risk of mortality?

The most common cause of death from penetrating neck trauma is a vascular injury. The area of highest risk is injuries at the base of the neck, in zone 1. The leading causes of delayed mortality are due to esophageal injuries, which may not be apparent on initial presentation.

What is the no zone approach neck trauma?

The current “no zone” algorithm for penetrating neck trauma focuses on identifying hard signs of injury and assessing patient stability rather than looking to the zone of injury for management.

What is blunt force trauma to neck?

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is usually caused by neck trauma that predominantly occurs in high-impact injuries. BCVI may occur due to damage to both the vertebral and carotid arteries, and may be fatal in the absence of appropriate treatment and early diagnosis.

How do you treat penetrating neck injury?

Cricothyotomy and tracheotomy are the two most commonly used procedures for severe neck trauma. We recommend cricothyrotomy as the first surgical airway of choice, as it is the most direct, simple and safe way of bypassing upper airway obstruction or injury.

What is an incised wound of the neck?

With incised knife injuries, because the wounds are usually superficial, the extent of the underlying haematoma is small. The vessels involved in the incisional injuries are musculocutaneous vessels, blood vessels relating to the thyroid and vessels relating to the deeper muscles of the neck.

What is the most commonly injured structure in the neck?

The following structures are located here: the carotid and vertebral arteries, the internal jugular veins, the trachea, and the esophagus. This zone has comparatively easy access for clinical examination and surgical exploration. It is the largest zone and the most commonly injured in the neck.

What are the three zones of the neck?

The neck has been divided into threes zones. Zone I, including the thoracic inlet, up to the level of the cricothyroid membrane, is treated as an upper thoracic injury. Zone III, above the angle of the mandible, is treated as a head injury. Zone II, between zones I and III, is the area of controversy.

What is considered neck trauma?

Neck trauma may be blunt, penetrating or a combination of both. Penetrating neck injuries in the older child may include those from gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or debris, such as glass or shrapnel, secondary to experimentation with flammable/explosive materials.

How does an EMT treat open neck wounds?

  1. maintain an open airway.
  2. place gloved hand over wound.
  3. apply occlusive dressing.
  4. place a dressing over the occlusive dressing.
  5. apply pressure to control bleeding.
  6. do not compress both carotid arteries.
  7. bandage in place when bleeding stops.
  8. immobilize the spine per mechanism/protocol.

What are the zones of the neck?

The neck is divided into 3 zones with zone I from sternum to cricoid cartilage, zone II from cricoid cartilage to base of skull and zone III from base of skull to angle of the mandible [6].