Stab wounds of the neck in children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stab wounds in children are very rare and are described as isolated cases. Sharp metal foreign bodies in the neck pose a real threat to trachea, esophagus, large vessels and nerves. The risk of damage is still present when specialists try to remove foreign bodies, especially if they are fixed. CLINICAL CASES DESCRIPTION: The aim of the study is to demonstrate outcomes after treating patients with neck injuries. We have two observations of stab wounds in the neck (with a knitting needle and a sewing needle) in children. To put diagnosis, we used clinical, laboratory, radiation and endoscopic methods. Surgery was done under general anesthesia, and the knitting needle and the sewing needle were removed from deep structures of the neck. Patients were discharged from the hospital in satisfactory state. CONCLUSION: The described observations may be of interest to specialists because we could remove foreign bodies penetrated into the neck without damage to internal organs, vessels and nerves. To prevent complications, foreign bodies in the neck have to be removed by experienced specialists in an operating room under general anesthesia with artificial ventilation. In case of complications, radical surgery is indicated.