title: Management of civilian gunshot wounds in a Nigerian general hospital.
abstract: In a 3-year period (1981-1984), 52 male patients aged 10-60 years were treated for fresh gunshot wounds. The injuries varied from minor soft tissue injuries to major organ and tissue damage, and were all sustained by low-velocity missiles. Six of the patients (11.5%) died of their injuries or complications while 46 (88.46%) survived and were discharged after 1-15 weeks (a mean hospital time of 3 weeks). Some of the patients were treated before referral and for some there was a delay of more than 48 h before definitive specialist treatment. Mortality was related to the severity of wounding and the delay before treatment.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents