title: The long-term outcome of retained foreign bodies in pediatric gunshot wounds.
abstract: The purpose of this retrospective review was to determine the long-term consequences of retained bullet foreign bodies in children after gunshot injury. All children managed for gunshot wounds at an urban, level I pediatric trauma center were evaluated, identifying those discharged with retained bullet foreign bodies. Overall, 244 children were treated for gunshot wounds, 107 (44%) had retained foreign bodies, 24 (22%) experienced long-term complications related to retained foreign bodies, and 14 (13%) required removal. Complications occur in a significant subset of pediatric patients with retained bullets. Prophylactic bullet removal appears unnecessary, although close outpatient follow-up is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, St Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Ioanna G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Mazotas
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McCubbins
authors.forename: Martin S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D055815:Young Adult