A CLINICAL STUDY OF MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME OF 60 CUT THROAT INJURIES

Cut throat injury have some open, incised or incised looking injury in the neck inflicted by sharp elements such as razor, knives or broken bottle pieces and glasses which may be superficial or penetrating in nature. Any injury in the neck regards as fatal injury because it contains vital structures. In case of cut throat injury there is high chance of injury to the vital structures of the neck, which may leads to profuse hemorrhage from injured major blood vessels, air embolism and airway obstruction. There are few studies carried out on cut throat injury in our country, as a result actual incidence, mortality and morbidity are not known. Present study attempts to overcome this lacuna, so that concerned authority and policy makers to initiate measure in order to minimize the mortality related to cut throat injury. This prospective observational type of study was undertaken in the department of Otorhinolaryngology in a Medical College of Eastern India. Total 60 cut throat patients were included in the study. After proper management it is found that 25 patients (25%) completely cured, living normal life. Living with minor morbidity are 27 patients (45%). 18 patients (30%) living with major problems. According to the result and analysis of this study it is established that early appropriate measure could save majority of the patient's life. Morbidity and mortality are related to delay in initiation of the treatment. Few deaths occur due to injury of great vessels and blood loss.