Unpleasant Traumas of Orthopedics: Firearm Wounds

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the clinical outcomes of patients presenting with gunshot wounds who were hospitalized in the orthopedic clinic in the last five years. Material and Method: The study is a retrospective study with 41 patients. Gender, age, length of hospitalization, injured extremities and regions, presence of fractures and distribution of fractured bones, need for surgery, need for other specialties, distribution of different specialties, additional injuries and complications, and their distribution were investigated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 39.76±12.77. 92.70% (n=38) of the patients were male, and 7.30% (n=3) were female. The mean duration of hospitalization among the patients was 5.68±3.38 days. It was observed that 80.50% (n=33) of the patients had the most injuries in the lower extremities. 70.70% (n=29) of the patients had a fracture accompanying the firearm injury. The femur was the most commonly fractured bone. Surgery was required in 82.90% (n=34) of the patients. 53.70% (n=22) of the patients had additional injuries and complications. Conclusion: Firearm injuries are an increasingly frequent and severe orthopedic injury, especially with the increase in individual armament. Therefore, emergency and orthopedic physicians should be equipped for early and effective intervention

Keywords

• gunshot wounds
• orthopedics
• trauma

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