A case of severely cut throat.

A 42-year-old man was admitted to hospital with serious neck injuries and partial exposure of the oropharynx. He was sedated and the larynx and trachea were anaesthetized with lignocaine to allow endotracheal intubation. In the course of these procedures, previously unsuspected injuries of the tongue and soft palate were discovered. The contraindications to endotracheal intubation under general anaesthesia in cases of this type are discussed.