title: Gunshot injuries of the head of the pancreas: conservative approach.
abstract: This study is comprised of 48 patients with gunshot injuries of the head of the pancreas, many of which were high velocity injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our management policy for these injuries based on our recent wide experience. Patients with grade II and III injuries underwent conservative surgery, with 0% and 21% postoperative mortality, respectively, directly related to the pancreatic injury. For patients in whom the duodenum was involved, pyloric exclusion was applied depending on the grade of the duodenal injury. We concluded that moderate gunshot injuries of the head of the pancreas (grade II) can be safely treated by débridement and suture repair, with or without drainage. Severe (grade IV) injuries warrant a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Most grade III injuries can be treated by débridement and drainage unless an associated severe duodenal injury is present, in which case resection may be indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baragwanath Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Degiannis
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Velmahos
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Potokar
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Florizoone
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saadia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003646:Debridement; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000601:surgery; D010179:Pancreas / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*