[Gunshot injuries--incidence and treatment].
BACKGROUND
Gunshot injuries are very rare in the European Union. To show the requirements for the trauma surgeon to deal with gunshot injuries this analysis was performed.


METHODS
Gunshot injuries seen at Lorenz Boehler Trauma Center from 1997 to 2004 were reviewed. The case histories of 67 patients were analysed for the cause of the gunshot injury, type of weapon, surgical intervention, days of treatment and outcome.


RESULTS
The most commonly cause of gunshot injuries were criminal offenses (n = 35). Handguns were used most often (n = 32). The locations of injuries were evenly distributed over head (n = 18 ), trunk (n = 16), upper (n = 15) and lower limb (n = 18). Surgical treatment was performed in 57 patients. The median stay on ICU was 10 days. 6 patients died.


CONCLUSIONS
Gunshot injuries are frequently not confined to the extremities. The challenge for the trauma surgeon is to deal with injuries of the head, chest and abdomen.
Figl
M
M
AUVA Unfallkrankenhaus Lorenz Böhler, Wien, Osterreich. m.figl@gmx.at
Weninger
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P
Hertz
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery