Table 1.
Study demographics
| GSW | SW | |
|---|---|---|
| Patients | ||
| Number of patients | 58 (11.4%) | 452 (88.6%) |
| Mean age in years | 30.8 (range: 8–61) | 29.0 (range: 11–73) |
| Female Male |
6 (10.3%) 52 (89.7%) |
42 (9.3%) 410 (90.7%) |
| Isolated cervical injuries | 18 (31.0%) | 169 (37.4%) |
| Additional injured regions | 40 (69.0%) | 283 (62.6%) |
| Significant cervical injury: all PNI | 32 (55.2%) | 139 (30.8%) |
| Significant cervical injury: TCGSWs | 16/20 (80.0%) | N/A |
| Multiple injured cervical structures | 18 (31%) | 23 (5%) |
| Mean injury severity score | 17 (range: 2–75) | 11 (range: 2–75) |
| Weapons | ||
| Low velocity firearm | 54 patients | |
| Shotgun | 3 patients | |
| Air rifle | 1 patient | |
| Knife | 293 patients | |
| Bottle | 54 patients | |
| Screwdriver | 11 patients | |
| Spear | 4 patients | |
| Other penetrating objects | 10 patients | |
| Unknown | 80 patients |
GSW = gunshot wound; SW = stab wound; PNI = penetrating neck injury; TCGSWs = transcervical gunshot wounds