Maxillofacial Firearm Injuries: A Protocol for Management in Assiut University Hospital,
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- Category: Vol. 84, March 2016
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Maxillofacial Firearm Injuries: A Protocol for Management in Assiut University Hospital, SALAH ELDEIN SHALTOUT and MOHAMMED H. OSMAN
Abstract
Aim of Study: To evaluate and classify maxillofacial firearm injuries and to develop a practical protocol to improve patient outcomes.
Patients and Results: A total of 179 patients representing about 4.29% of all maxillofacial trauma in the period between 2006 to 2013, with marked increase in the incidence after the Egyptian revolution 25/1/2011, were treated from firearm injuries in Assiut University Hospital. Patients were followed for at least 6 months. Injuries were accidental in seven cases; the remaining injuries resulted from assault. We classified injuries into the following categories: (1) Soft-tissue lacerations with no soft-tissue loss or bone fracture (19 patients); (2) Soft-tissue loss without bone fracture (one patient); (3) Soft-tissue lacerations with bone fracture (146 patients); (4) Soft-tissue lacerations with bone loss (11 patients); and (5) Soft-tissue and bone loss (two patients).
Conclusions: Our treatment protocol prioritizes primary emergency care to save the patient’s life and repairing soft tissues to create a bed for second-stage bone reconstruction, if needed. For residual anatomic and esthetic problems, we recommend a later-stage procedure.