Vascular
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The purpose of this study was to assess the role of arteriography (AG) in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular trauma in patients with zone 3 penetrating neck injuries. The records of all cases of penetrating neck trauma for the past 14 years at a level 1 trauma center were reviewed retrospectively. Eight hundred forty-four penetrating neck injuries were documented, of which 72 (8.5%) traversed zone 3 of the neck (gunshot, 35; stab, 32; shotgun, 5). ⋯ Nine patients had ultrasonography performed, but these examinations did not yield any useful information. The absence of hard signs reliably excludes surgically significant vascular injuries in penetrating zone 3 neck trauma, suggesting that AG is not necessary. Hard signs in stable patients should mandate AG because these vascular injuries may be amenable to endovascular therapy.