Penetrating Pharyngoesophageal Injury: Practice Patterns in the Era of Nonoperative Management – A National Trauma Data Bank Review from 2007 to 2011

Abstract

Introduction: Selective nonoperative management of neck injuries from penetrating mechanism has become an acceptable management strategy. We herein characterize current management strategies of cervical pharyngoesophageal injuries implemented by trauma surgeons in the United States. Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank datasets 2007–2011 were queried for penetrating pharyngeal and/or cervical esophageal injuries. Subjects surviving 24 hours or more were analyzed based on whether a surgical exploration was pursued and by gunshot versus stabbing mechanism. Results: In all, 1,256 patients were identified, representing 6% of all penetrating neck injuries during the study period. The majority (84%) were male, with a median age of 27 years. Injury severity was high (median score of 14). Compared to stabbing victims, gunshot patients were more likely to have associated cervical spine (24% vs. 1%, p < .01) and carotid artery injury (14% vs. 9%, p < .01). Neck exploration was performed in 49% of patients who survived at least 24 hours, with 90% occurring within the first day of admission. Of patients who underwent a delayed neck exploration, 35% required a tracheostomy and 41% required a feeding tube placement. The overall mortality was 4%. Nonoperative management was not associated with increased odds for death (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.55, p = .17). Conclusions: Nonoperative management of penetrating pharyngoesophageal injuries is commonly utilized with no effect on mortality.

Keywords:

• penetrating esophageal injury
• penetrating pharyngeal injury
• penetrating neck trauma
• neck exploration
• nonoperative management

Disclosure statement

The authors have not received financial support to conduct this research and have no associated conflicts of interest.