Blunt neck trauma can cause serious morbidity and mortality rates of up to 40 per cent, but there is a paucity of literature on the topic.

A retrospective case note review was performed for all blunt neck trauma cases managed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2017.

Seventeen cases were managed, with no mortality and limited morbidity. Most patients were male (70.6 per cent) and road traffic accidents were the most common cause of injury (41.2 per cent). The median age of patients was 40.6 years (range, 21.5–70.3 years). Multidetector computed tomography angiography of the neck was performed in 9 patients (52.9 per cent) with ‘hot’ reports made by on-duty radiology staff matching consultant reports in all but 1 case. Six patients underwent operative exploration yielding a negative exploration rate of 33.3 per cent. Imaging reports matched operative findings in 3 cases (60 per cent).

Blunt neck trauma is uncommon but usually presents in polytrauma. Imaging has inaccuracies when compared with operative findings, regardless of radiological experience.

Laryngeal injury after blunt trauma is uncommon, but can cause catastrophic airway obstruction and significant morbidity in voice and airway function. This paper aims to discuss a case series of sports-related blunt laryngeal trauma patients and describe the results of a thorough literature review.

Retrospective case-based analysis of laryngeal trauma referrals over six years to a tertiary laryngology centre.

Twenty-eight patients were identified; 13 (46 per cent) sustained sports-related trauma. Most were young males, presenting with dysphonia, some with airway compromise (62 per cent). Nine patients were diagnosed with a laryngeal fracture. Four patients were managed conservatively and nine underwent surgery. Post-treatment, the majority of patients achieved good voice outcomes (83 per cent) and all had normal airway function.

Sports-related neck trauma can cause significant injury to the laryngeal framework and endolaryngeal soft tissues, and most cases require surgical intervention. Clinical presentation may be subtle; a systematic approach along with a high index of suspicion is essential, as early diagnosis and treatment have been reported to improve airway and voice outcome.

There has been a shift towards conservative management of penetrating neck trauma in selected patients.

A retrospective case note review of the management of penetrating neck trauma (2007–2013) was undertaken at our large teaching hospital and compared against best-evidenced practice.

Sixty-three patients were admitted over six years. The incidence of penetrating neck trauma is reducing, contrary to our belief. Most cases were knife inflicted (33 out of 63), and of these most were attempted suicide. There was a high rate of negative findings for neck explorations under general anaesthesia (18 out of 22). Only nine cases had justification for general anaesthesia exploration according to best practice.

The rate of neck explorations under general anaesthesia has dramatically fallen, in line with best practice. The need for operative intervention in patients with penetration of the aerodigestive tract or a major vascular injury should be based on clinical features, and these have been shown to be reliable indicators prior to open exploration.

Laryngeal injuries are uncommon but result in high mortality and morbidity rates when they do occur. We report a case of laryngeal fracture due to penetrating shrapnel injury, repaired with miniplates.

A 26-year-old soldier was involved in an explosion and sustained a shrapnel wound to his right neck. After immediate airway management at the field hospital he was transferred to the UK, where he underwent a neck exploration, laryngofissure and repair of the thyroid cartilage using miniplates. An endolaryngeal stent was placed, which was removed at a second operation seven days later. Post-operatively, the patient recovered well and his voice improved rapidly. Six months post-operatively, he returned to work.

The cause and nature of laryngeal injury differs between wartime and peacetime. The methods of diagnosis and management strategies are reviewed. The early recognition of injury and protection of the airway are of paramount importance when dealing with laryngeal injury. Delayed laryngeal reconstruction using miniplates can give a good functional result.

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

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.

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

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.