J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2021 Dec;32(6):525-530.

Clinical predicting factors that can distinguish superficial and deep injuries in penetrating neck injury?

• Jung WH
• Choi KH
• Oh YM
• Choi SM
• Oh JS
• Park JT
• Lee DH
• Kim KW
• Hong S
• Jeong HH

Abstract

Objective
The frequency of penetrating neck injuries has gradually increased with the development of industry and the rising crime rates. There have been few studies with penetrating neck injuries reported in Korea. Thus, we analyzed clinical factors that could differentiate between superficial and deep injuries in patients with penetrating neck injuries.
Methods
We investigated the medical records of 90 patients with penetrating neck injuries who visited the emergency department between January 2010 and March 2020. To identify the degree of injuries, we compared age, sex, onset and arrival time, onset-to-arrival time, initial vital signs, Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, cause, mechanism, location and number of injuries, anatomical zone, alcohol intake and psychiatric history were classified as early clinical factors.
Results
Among 90 patients, 51 had superficial injuries, and 39 had deep injuries. The early clinical factors showing statistically significant differences were the Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, cause of injury and anatomical zones. As the Glasgow Coma Scale increased by 1 point, deep injuries decreased by 0.807 times compared to superficial injuries. Homicidal injuries were 3.233 times deeper than suicidal injuries.
Conclusion
If the Glasgow Coma Scale is low or the cause of injury is homicide, the possibility of a deep penetrating injury is high. Therefore, it is important to treat the patient carefully, considering these factors.

Keyword

Neck injuries; Glasgow Coma Scale; Homicide