Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T02:06:47.187Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Retained knife blades in the ear, nose and throat: three cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 April 2008

A C van Lierop ,
O Raynham ,
O Basson  and
D E Lubbe
A C van Lierop*
Affiliation:
Division of Otolaryngology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
O Raynham
Affiliation:
Division of Otolaryngology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
O Basson
Affiliation:
Division of Otolaryngology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
D E Lubbe
Affiliation:
Division of Otolaryngology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
*
Address for correspondence: Dr A C van Lierop, Division of Otolaryngology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa. Fax:  +27214488865 E-mail: antonvl@worldonline.co.za
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

To discuss the management and to review the literature regarding retained knife blades in the head and neck.

Case report:

We present three cases in which patients presented with retained knife blades in the head and neck region; in two of these, the diagnosis was delayed by more than eight weeks. In all patients, the retained knife blade was removed through the pathway of insertion, without significant sequelae.

Discussion:

The methods of removal, appropriate radiological investigations and patient profiles are discussed.

Conclusions:

We propose that radiography be performed on all patients presenting with facial stab injuries which are anything more than superficial. We further suggest that the direct extraction of sharp objects through the pathway of insertion is safe if radiological studies show no risk of vascular injury.

Keywords

Neck InjuriesStab WoundsForeign Bodies
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 3 , March 2009 , pp. 351 - 355
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Grobbelaar, A, Knottenbelt, JD. Retained knife blades in stab wounds of the face: is simple withdrawal safe? Injury 1991;22:29–31CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2 Daya, NP, Liversage, HL. Penetrating stab wound injuries to the face. Journal of the South African Dental Association 2004;59:55–9Google ScholarPubMed
3 Scheepers, A, Lownie, M. The role of angiography in facial trauma: a case report. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1994;32:109–10CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4 Shinohara, EH, Heringer, L, De Carvalho, JP. Impacted knife injuries in the maxillofacial region: a report of 2 cases. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2001;59:1221–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Gardner, PA, Righi, P, Shahbahrami, PB. Imaging case study of the month: knife blade as a facial foreign body. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1997;106:710–13CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6 Jett, HH, van Hoy, JM, Hamit, HF. Clinical and socio-economic aspects of 254 admissions for stab and gunshot wounds. J Trauma 1972;12:577–80CrossRefGoogle Scholar