Fig. 2.
Neck zones for evaluating and treating penetrating and blunt neck trauma. The neck is commonly divided into three distinct zones, which facilitates initial assessment and management based on the limitations associated with surgical exploration and hemorrhage control unique to each zone. The axial computed tomographic images (bottom) correspond to zone 1, zone 2, and zone 3. The numbers represent the percentage of injury to each zone of the neck. Zone 1: Clavicles to cricoid: High-risk zone because of the presence of great vessels, lung, and trachea. Zone 2: Cricoid to mandibular angle: Most frequently injured, but surgical access is easier. Hemorrhage is easier to control as the great vessels are not anchored to adjoining structures, unlike in zones 1and 3. Zone 3: Mandibular angle to skull base: High risk as surgical access is difficult. Angiographic intervention is frequently used. Modified from the study by Salinas and Brennan.21