A CASE OF NECK IMPALEMENT INJURY REQUIRING CRICOTHYROIDOTOMY AND TOTAL SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND EXCISION

Abstract

　　We encountered a rare case of neck impalement injury extending to the oral cavity, requiring cricothyroidotomy and total submandibular gland excision. A 48-year-old man who was working on a construction site, had his right neck penetrated by an iron pipe of about 10 mm in diameter when he fell. We examined his neck and head by plain CT. We recognized a neck hematoma compressing the trachea, and were soon aware of stridor. We conducted a cricothyroidotomy as soon as possible. We then immediately explored the injury site, and observed wounds reaching the oral cavity through the soft palate and injury to the submandibular gland. We perfomed a total right submandibular gland excision. In neck impalement injuries, it is important to carefully confirm whether or not airway obstruction exists and if other tissues are injured, and we must treat patients while controlling infection.