Penetrating Carotid Artery Injuries: When is the Suitable Time to Repair?: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Carotid artery injury (CAI) following head and neck trauma is rare but is associated with devastating complications. Decisions on carotid arterial repair are difficult especially when there is a neurological deficit. This case report is about a 38-year-old male who presented after penetrating common carotid artery injury. He was intubated; therefore, his neurological status could not be assessed. He was haemodynamically unstable. Therefore, a decision was taken to explore the neck immediately. On exploration, the common carotid artery was found to be contused. The contused segment was excised and repaired with a Polyester interposition graft. The patient had an uneventful recovery with no neurological deficits.