American journal of surgery
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Over a 15 year period 120 patients with neck injuries that penetrated the platysma were studied. Appropriate treatment was initiated in the emergency room. Sixty-one patients underwent exploration and 59 were observed. ⋯ The majority were Zone II injuries. Our morbidity and mortality rates are slightly lower than those reported in most series. This review supports the concept that therapy for penetrating injuries to the neck should be individualized.