Use of a Pig Model to Demonstrate Vulnerability of Major Neck Vessels to Inflicted Trauma From Common Household Items

Abstract

Commonly available items including a ball point pen, a plastic knife, a broken wine bottle, and a broken wine glass were used to inflict stab and incised wounds to the necks of 3 previously euthanized Large White pigs. With relative ease, these items could be inserted into the necks of the pigs next to the jugular veins and carotid arteries. Despite precautions against the carrying of metal objects such as knives and nail files on board domestic and international flights, objects are still available within aircraft cabins that could be used to inflict serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. If airport and aircraft security measures are to be consistently applied, then consideration should be given to removing items such as glass bottles and glass drinking vessels. However, given the results of a relatively uncomplicated modification of a plastic knife, it may not be possible to remove all dangerous objects from aircraft. Security systems may therefore need to focus on measures such as increased surveillance of passenger behavior, rather than on attempting to eliminate every object that may serve as a potential weapon.

Lessons learned from the porcine CARPA model: constant and variable responses to different nanomedicines and administration protocols

“…Pigs are widely used as large animal models in biomedical research (57)(58)(59)(60)(61), particularly in studies on cardiovascular diseases (62)(63)(64)(65)(66)(67), trauma (68)(69)(70)(71), sepsis (72)(73)(74)(75)(76), drug intoxications (54,55), and, since 1999 (53), CARPA. As described in many previous experimental studies (50)(51)(52)(53)77) and a recent review (7), the porcine CARPA model represents a highly sensitive and reproducible model for the most serious, life threatening HSRs in man caused by RNM.…”

Bystander cricothyrotomy with ballpoint pen: a fresh cadaveric feasibility study

“…Jawish and Ponet10 reported on a child with torticollis due to the retention of a pencil cap that was lodged in the child's neck after having pierced the posterior wall of the pharynx. The Forensic Institute of Adelaide, Australia, could demonstrate the vulnerability of major neck vessels to ballpoint pens in a pig model 11. An intentional and targeted penetration of the trachea, however, does not seem to be comparable to these accidents.…”

The ‘Break Enter and Die’ Syndrome May Involve Significant Injury to Major Neck Vessels

“…Although a typical case of ‘break enter and die’ syndrome usually involves relatively minor injuries externally, the current case demonstrates that quite significant trauma may also occur. While stabbing and cutting of the neck may occur relatively easily from a variety of household objects including broken glass and bottles (3,4), this case differs in that the mechanism involved the body falling onto the edge of broken window glass resulted in a slicing wound of the throat with the incision extending down to the posterior wall of the pharynx, transecting both internal jugular veins and the right common carotid artery. Heavy blood staining of the victim’s clothing and at the scene was in keeping with death from exsanguination, in addition to air within the right atrium indicating that air embolism had also occurred.…”