Applying sufficient pressure to a penetrating neck wound, without resorting to circumferential bandaging with subsequent bilateral compression of the great neck vessels, requires a member of the trauma team dedicated to this. Following several, well-publicised stabbings, we present our technique for applying pressure to neck wounds that is particularly useful to injuries in zones II and III. (Zone I is the neck below the cricoid cartilage, zone II is the neck between the cricoid cartilage and the mandible, zone III is the neck above the mandible.) The patient's own arm on the contralateral side to the wound is raised above their head (Fig. 1). A wad of gauze is then placed over the wound on the opposite side of the neck and bandaging wrapped circumferentially round the neck and raised arm, compressing the wound, protecting the neck vessels and freeing up a member of the trauma team.
Figure 1.
Illustration of the bandaging technique for a stab wound to the left side of the neck.