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- Title
Distribution characteristics of combat-related shrapnel and relationship to weapon type and conflict location: Experience of an operational field hospital.
- Authors
Akay, Sinan; Aşık, Mehmet Burak; Eksert, Sami
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of shrapnel distribution in the body and a possible relationship to the type of weapon and type of location of the conflict. METHODS: The records of 246 patients admitted to a level-III trauma center with any kind of firearm injury were examined retrospectively. Ninety patients who had at least 1 radiologically-proven piece of shrapnel in their body were included in the study. For the purposes of the study, the body was divided into 5 regions (head/neck, thorax/back, abdomen/pelvis/waist, upper extremities, and lower extremities) and shrapnel distribution was noted according to these divisions. Medical data and detailed information regarding the weapon type (long-barreled weapon, rocket-propelled grenade [RPG], or improvised explosive device [IED]), conflict location (residential or rural area), and all radiological examinations (radiography and/or computed tomography) were carefully reviewed. The relationship between these variables and the shrapnel distribution in the body was investigated. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were seen between weapon type and shrapnel distribution (p>0.05), except a significantly higher percentage of head/neck region shrapnel injuries as a result of RPG and IED injuries (p=0.002). There was no statistically significant relationship between the shrapnel distribution characteristics and conflict location, classified as either residential or rural (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Secondary blast injuries induced by penetrating shrapnel are the most common type of explosion- and combatrelated injuries. In the current study, a significantly higher rate of head/neck region shrapnel injuries was observed in RPG and IED injuries compared with long-barreled weapon-induced injuries. The primary reason is likely the more unexpected nature of those 2 types of attacks, which allow no time to shield that part of the body.
- Subjects
RADIOGRAPHY of the arm; ARM injuries; LEG radiography; LEG injuries; PELVIC radiography; PELVIC injuries; ABDOMINAL injuries; BACK injuries; CHEST injuries; COMPUTED tomography; FIREARMS; HEALTH facilities; HOSPITAL admission &; discharge; MEDICAL records; METROPOLITAN areas; NECK injuries; PATIENTS; RURAL conditions; TRAUMA centers; WEAPONS; HEAD injuries; BLAST injuries; RETROSPECTIVE studies
- Publication
Turkish Journal of Trauma & Emergency Surgery / Ulusal Travma ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi, 2018, Vol 24, Issue 6, p587
- ISSN
1306-696X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5505/tjtes.2018.13402