Pattern of Gunshot Injuries in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia
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- Category: Vol. 78, September 2010
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Pattern of Gunshot Injuries in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia,MOHAMAD A. ALASSIRI
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the pattern of gunshot injuries managed at a tertiary care hospital and to compare this pattern with that published in International Literature.
Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included all gunshot injury patients admitted to Aseer Central Hospital over a four-year period from January 2006 to December 2009 (n=118).
Results: The mean age of gunshot injury victims was 26.7±11.1 years. Only 8.5% of cases aged more than 40 years. Victims were almost exclusively males (99.2%), and most of them were Saudis (78.8%). The used weapon was mainly a pistol/handgun (85.6%), while an air-gun was used in only 14.4% of cases. Injuries were unintentional in 19.5% of cases, while 80.5% were intentional. Most gunshot injuries were superficial (77.1%). However, 12.7% of cases had nerve injuries and 10.2% had vascular injuries. Most gunshot injuries affected the lower limbs (52.5%) or the upper limbs (22%). Gunshots affected the trunk in 17.8% of cases, while 9.3% of injuries were in the head and/or neck. Neurological com-plications were present in 23.7% while vascular complications affected 5.1% of cases and bone complications were present in 3.4% of cases. All cases survived till discharge. Wound debridement was performed for 39% of patients, while explo-ration was done for 26.3% and bullet removal was done for 23.7% and grafting for 12.7%. The hospital stay of 28% of patients was within one week, while 72% stayed more than one week. The mean duration of hospital stay was 16.6±19.1 days.
Conclusions: The number of cases with gunshot injuries seems to be rapidly increasing. Handguns are the main weapon used. Young males constitute the high risk group. Most injuries affect the upper and lower extremities.
Recommendations: For proper management of gunshot injuries, law enforcement against criminal use of weapons should be maintained. Surgeons with subspecialty in vascular surgery, orthopedics and neurosurgery should work as a team.