CERVICAL STAB INJURY: A CRITICAL TRAUMA CASE carlotaduartemiranda@gmail.com

PE117

CERVICAL STAB INJURY: A CRITICAL TRAUMA CASE

6

Portugal

Oral or Poster

Penetrating neck trauma with injury to major vascular structures is a life-threatening condition requiring prompt and coordinated multidisciplinary intervention. We report a case of cervical stab wound with exposure of the thyroid cartilage, involving lesions to the internal jugular vein and carotid artery, complicated by hemorrhagic shock.

A 57-year-old male presented to the trauma bay with a penetrating neck injury exposing the thyroid cartilage. On arrival, there was no active bleeding due to ongoing hemorrhagic shock. The patient was obtunded but maintained spontaneous circulation without cardiopulmonary arrest. Careful fluid resuscitation and orotracheal intubation were performed.

The patient was immediately transferred to the operating room for surgical exploration involving vascular and general surgery teams. Surgical repair included meticulous vascular reconstruction of the internal jugular vein and carotid artery, layered closure of cervical tissues, and placement of a surgical drain. The patient’s postoperative course was favorable, with successful extubation and recovery without major complications.

This case highlights the critical importance of the ABC components of the ABCDE trauma assessment, they are absolutely critical, and often prioritized even more urgently than in other trauma scenarios. Early airway control, hemodynamic stabilization, and coordinated surgical repair are essential to optimize patient outcomes.