Cut Throat Injury: Our Experience in Rural Set-Up

Cut throat injuries are one of the emergency conditions managed by ENT specialists. If not treated in time, they may lead to death. Prevention of these complications depends on immediate resuscitation by securing the airway by tracheostomy or intubation, prompt control of hemorrhage and blood replacement. The present study was conducted to study the sociodemographic profile of patients of cut throat injury, motives behind cut throat injury, site and depth of the injury, treatment given at our hospital and outcome. A prospective study was done in the department of ENT in a tertiary care hospital of rural West Bengal between January 2014 and December 2015. Patients who were brought dead and minor neck injury were excluded from the study. Endotracheal intubation where possible, or emergency tracheostomy was done below the level of injury. Ryle’s tube was inserted where necessary. Injured structures were repaired in layers. Among 22 patients there were 18 male and 4 female. The peak age of incidence was in the 4th decade of life. Suicidal cut throat injury was the most common mode of injury. Most of the injuries were in the zone II (72.73%). Three patients died due to severe haemorrhage and/or aspiration. Decannulation was possible in 9 out of 12 patients. Cut throat injuries have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our society. Patients with injury of larynx or upper trachea need preliminary tracheostomy. Post-operative endoscopy identifies nerve injuries and stenosis problems.