A RARE CASE OF INTRAORAL PENETRATING INJURY (IRON ROD) IN A 11 YEAR OLD CHILD.

INTRODUCTION Morbidity and mortality of penetrating neck trauma reported as 5-10% and 3-6% respectively. Massive haemorrhage has been main cause of death .Selective management is a shift from traditional mandatory exploration which is based on physical examination and selective diagnostic studies. We hereby present a case of penetrating zone II neck injury by an iron rod in a11 year old boy due to accidental fall in under construction building. AIM AND OBJECTIVE To highlight the rarity of the case and emphasize on the complex nature of injury. METHODOLOGY 11 year old male child was referred to our medical college hospital with history of fall over iron rod in an under construction building. He was vitally stable on examination and around 45 cms iron rod was seen penetrating through anterior tongue and floor of mouth extending through the left submandibular gland externally. There was no bleeding or hematoma . Patient was subjected to Surgery and rod was removed under GA .There was no post operative complications .On follow up upto 6 months patient was doing fine . CONCLUSION Penetrating neck injury is rare and anatomical knowledge of neck is of utmost importance so as to prevent undue complications and aggressive management .Conventional packing of sinus tract is no longer recommended .Good clinical diagnosis can rule out any sign of vascular injury and in that case angiography and CT could be avoided without any major risk.