Neck trauma

Key points

Concerns are airway, vascular, neurological and oesophageal injury

Patients should be approached with an ATLS/APLS protocol:

Secure airway/Control catastrophic haemorrhage

Control C-spine

If stable, CT angiogram for vascular injuries

Will need endoscopy + contrast even if CT negative as small oesophageal injuries can be missed

Haematomas should be explored for bleeding points, as they can expand later and cause airway compression