[Injuries of the neck: wartime and peacetime experiences].

Introduction: There are many diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas as well as variations in the treatment of neck trauma.

Aim: Our own experiences offer a protocol of treatment for neck trauma.

Patients And Methods: During the 1991-2003 period, 139 patients with neck trauma were treated at Dr. Josip Bencević General Hospital in Slavonski Brod, 95 with war injuries and 44 with peacetime injuries.

Results: Immediate neck exploration was done in 115 patients, and 62 (54%) followed-up based on diagnostic procedure was positive without surgical treatment.

Discussion: Currently, there are two approaches in the treatment of neck trauma: exploration of neck injuries deeper than platysma, and selective approach when neck exploration is done depending on clinical status and diagnosis.

Conclusion: The authors emphasize immediate exploration of penetrating neck injuries as decisive in surgical treatment, irrespective of peacetime or war trauma. Neck injuries should be treated by the principles of definitive treatment.