부산대학교 도서관

MANAGEMENT of soft tissue injuries of the neck requires prompt evaluation and an aggressive approach toward repair of the damaged structures. Emphasis has been placed upon the early exploration of cervical wounds.1 Frequently, the appearance of the wound is unimpressive and the significance of the damage does not become apparent immediately. Nonpenetrating trauma is even more difficult to assess unless significant soft tissue injury is evident immediately. In these injuries airway obstruction, vascular damage with hemorrhage, and neurologic deficits are frequently encountered. However, injuries to the pharynx following blunt trauma are quite rare. Recently, a case of perforation of the pharynx was encountered, following relatively minor nonpenetrating trauma. The purpose of this report is to present this unusual case to emphasize the degree of damage which can occur following even minor trauma to the neck and to stress the importance of prompt surgical evaluation. REPORT OF A CASE A