Medico-legal aspects of stab wounds to the neck. Case report.

Abstract

Introduction: Neck trauma injuries can be open or closed and in turn are classified as superficial and deep. The surgical decision depends on the determination of the commitment of vital organs.

Objective: Demonstrate the importance of anatomical knowledge of the neck to establish the trajectory of the wound.

Case Presentation: The case of a 27-year-old patient is reported, who is attacked with a knife to the neck. The patient exhibited an extensive cutting wound of a superficial type in zone II of the neck, the severity of which corresponds to grade 1, therefore, the wound was sutured, then the patient was sent home and subsequent monitoring for removal of stitches. The medico-legal aspects in this case are aimed at providing relevant information regarding the commitment or not of a vital organ or large vessels, said information facilitates the prosecutor for the establishment of the criminal type.

Discussion: The presentation of the case is important since it allows us to establish what medical treatment the patient should receive in case of neck injuries and the medical-legal importance of it for the establishment of a crime.

Conclusions: To determine the intent of the alleged aggressor, close collaboration between the prosecutor investigating the case and the medical expert is essential.