TRAUMATIC COMMON CAROTID INTERNAL JUGULAR FISTULA

Abstract

The leading cause of death in penetrating neck trauma due to gunshot and stab wounds is vascular injury, bleeding, subsequent shock and compromised airways1. Neck and thoracic outlet is the commonest site of traumatic arteriovenous fistulae (AVF); carotid artery and jugular vein being the vessels most commonly involved2,3. If missed or untreated these fistulae may lead to serious complications4. There is no place for nonoperative therapy of traumatic AVFs of neck due to its natural history and complications4. Surgery for carotid–jugular fistulae involves adequate exposure, vascular control, vascular shunt to maintain cerebral blood flow, closure of fistula and establishing and maintaining vascular continuity4. We present a case of traumatic common carotid–jugular fistula.