ABSTRACT
Penetrating neck trauma has the potential to challenge the skills of even the most experienced trauma care provider. The airway, breathing, circulation, and disability of the Advanced Trauma Life Supportw (ATLSw) (1) primary survey are all simultaneously at risk. For example, one study of penetrating laryngotracheal injuries, 50% of which were gunshot wounds, reported multiple injuries to major structures in 81% of the patients (2).
