Exploring the psychological impact of penetrating neck injury: a scoping review and thematic analysis.

Penetrating neck injury (PNI) describes an injury, typically with a sharp object, resulting in a wound that crosses platysma. These injuries often require surgical exploration and may result in significant morbidity and mortality. We undertook, to our knowledge, the first systematic analysis of the literature exploring the psychological impact of PNI, and carried out a thematic analysis. An electronic search of five databases and four registers was performed in March 2025 according to PRISMA guidelines. Quality of the studies was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software (Lumivero). Of 974 identified studies, 30 met the inclusion criteria, in which 651 patients with PNI were described. Three key themes were identified: aetiology of PNI drives treatment need; psychiatric care is central to multidisciplinary management; and PNI occurs in a socioeconomic context. Patients who self-injure typically receive psychiatric treatment and/or medication, and those with traumatic injuries may receive psychotherapy. Quality of the studies was moderate, with an absence of targeted or prospective research. Current treatment for the psychological impact of PNI is classified by aetiology, though the literature remains heterogeneous and incomplete. Studies note a strong association with socioeconomic deprivation. Psychiatric care is a central component of multidisciplinary management, particularly due to the risk of serious self-harm or suicide following PNI. Presentation with acute injuries offers oral and maxillofacial (OMFS) surgeons an opportunity to prevent further injury and death with timely referral to psychiatric teams. Targeted prospective research would enable optimal assessment and support for recovery in these patients.