顎下部外傷について

EXTERNAL TRAUMA OF SUBMENTAL REGION

　自動車運転助手席に乗車していて交通事故に遭遇し，顎下部に開放性損傷をうけた場合，二，三の特徴ある所見が見られる。最近経験した2症例を報告し，外傷性顎下部症候群を提唱してこれについて考察したい。

　Two cases of extensive wounds in the submandibular region caused by automobile accidents are reported. The patients were a woman, aged 24, and a man, aged 21. The characteristic features of these accident by a head-on collision, especially to a person riding in the front seat besides the driver, may be summarized as follows:

　(1) The submandibular wound is usually horizontal in extent.

　(2) If the wound is deep the lingual muscles may involved that may cause speech difficulty as a sequela.

　(3) In more severe cases dysphagia and dyspnea may ensue.