Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiorgan-Penetrating Injuries to the Head
and Neck: Case Series
Abstract
Multiorgan-penetrating injuries to the head and neck are relatively
uncommon, with many complications and high mortality, and the management
of such injuries is often complex and nonstandardized. Here, we report
our experience of treating such injuries. We retrospectively analyzed
multiorgan-penetrating injuries to the head and neck in patients who
were admitted to and managed in our department. We evaluated first-aid
measures, imaging examination findings, operation method, and prognoses.
A total of 5 patients were identified. The patients were successfully
treated; two of these patients with wooden foreign bodies underwent
digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the common carotid artery. To
sum up, we conclude that individualized multidisciplinary treatment
according to the affected organs and manner of impalement can greatly
reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications. In
endoscopy-assisted removal with irregular wooden foreign bodies, we
advocate intraoperative DSA of common carotid arteries as a routine
procedure.