Penetrating wounds of the neck. Experience from a Swedish hospital.

Stab wounds of the neck were retrospectively studied in 28 patients. Neck stabbings constituted 9% of all stab wounds recorded during the same period. Vascular injuries were most frequent, and the mortality rate was 14%. The management of neck stab wounds is discussed and three cases are presented to illustrate the difficulties and pitfalls. It is proposed that all wounds penetrating the platysma should be explored in general anaesthesia.