Battlefield Neck Injuries: Contemporary Insights From the Israeli National Trauma Registry.

OBJECTIVES

Neck injuries in warfare are critical due to the concentration of vital structures within a relatively unprotected anatomical region. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiology, severity, and outcomes of neck injuries during Military operations under "Operation Swords of War," leveraging data from the Israeli National Trauma Registry.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected for casualties from October 7, 2023, through December 31, 2023. Injury characteristics, time to surgical exploration, and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 1815 trauma casualties were recorded, with 147 (8.1%) suffering from neck injuries. The majority of these injuries were due to penetrating trauma (89.8%), with a significant number leading to surgical exploration (45.0%). The study highlighted the extensive use of resources for managing these severe injuries, including operating rooms and intensive care units.

CONCLUSION

The findings underscore the high prevalence and severity of neck injuries in military conflicts and the critical need for rapid assessment and intervention. Comparisons with previous conflicts suggest an improvement in survival rates due to enhanced medical response and triage efficiency. In conclusion, neck injuries remain a significant concern in combat settings, necessitating specialized trauma care and rapid intervention strategies. The results from this study provide vital insights that can help improve trauma care protocols and outcomes in future conflicts.