Vascular access and control in trauma of the neck

Trauma to the neck is often a confronting clinical presentation with a myriad of possible structural and vascular injuries. Accessing the neck vessels requires an intimate knowledge and understanding of the different anatomical zones and an awareness of adjunctive specialties that may be required to assist in definitive treatment or repair. In this chapter, we discuss the presentation and emergency management of cervical vascular injuries including surgical access to the carotid, vertebral, and subclavian arteries and cervical veins in blunt and penetrating trauma settings.