The evaluation of penetrating neck trauma is a controversial issue. Some institutions continue to drive aggressively in the neck trauma, leading to surgical exploration for all patients. The selection of more appropriate diagnostic methods is a controversial issue. The current trend in the literature is directed toward the rational use of diagnostic methods, selected indicators according to clinical findings on admission. Objective: to determine the value of soft sings at admission of patients with penetrating neck trauma to define the need for additional diagnostic studies. Methods: an observational study of a diagnostic test in Kennedy Hospital during the period August 2009 to June 2010. We included 207 patients with penetrating neck wound. All underwent a physical examination focusing on the soft signs of vascular injury, airway and upper gastrointestinal tract. We analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value of soft signs. Results: soft signs of vascular injury have a sensitivity of 95.65%, specificity 47.83%, PPV 18.64%, NPV of 98.88%. Soft signs of airway injury have a 94.12% sensitivity, specificity 91.05%, VVP 48.48% 99.43% NPV. Conclusions: asymptomatic patients do not require diagnostic tests to exclude other injuries that required surgical repair, with clinical follow the proper triage.
