Journal article
Distribution characteristics of combat-related shrapnel and relationship to weapon type and conflict location: Experience of an operational field hospital
Ulusal travma ve acil cerrahi dergisi = Turkish journal of trauma & emergency surgery : TJTES, Vol.24(6), pp.587-593
11/01/2018
DOI: 10.5505/tjtes.2018.13402
PMID: 30516261
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of shrapnel distribution in the body and a possible relationship to the type of weapon and type of location of the conflict.
METHODS: The records of 246 patients admitted to a level-III trauma center with any kind of firearm injury were examined retrospectively. Ninety patients who had at least I radiologically-proven piece of shrapnel in their body were included in the study. For the purposes of the study, the body was divided into 5 regions (head/neck, thorax/back, abdomen/pelvis/waist, upper extremities, and lower extremities) and shrapnel distribution was noted according to these divisions. Medical data and detailed information regarding the weapon type (long-barreled weapon, rocket-propelled grenade [RPG], or improvised explosive device [IED]), conflict location (residential or rural area), and all radiological examinations (radiography and/or computed tomography) were carefully reviewed. The relationship between these variables and the shrapnel distribution in the body was investigated.
RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were seen between weapon type and shrapnel distribution (p>0.05), except a significantly higher percentage of head/neck region shrapnel injuries as a result of RPG and IED injuries (p=0.002). There was no statistically significant relationship between the shrapnel distribution characteristics and conflict location, classified as either residential or rural (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Secondary blast injuries induced by penetrating shrapnel are the most common type of explosion- and combat-related injuries. In the current study, a significantly higher rate of head/neck region shrapnel injuries was observed in RPG and IED injuries compared with long-barreled weapon-induced injuries. The primary reason is likely the more unexpected nature of those 2 types of attacks, which allow no time to shield that part of the body.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Distribution characteristics of combat-related shrapnel and relationship to weapon type and conflict location: Experience of an operational field hospital
- Creators
- Sinan Akay - Sivas State HospitalMehmet Burak Asik - AnkaraSami Eksert - Ankara
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Ulusal travma ve acil cerrahi dergisi = Turkish journal of trauma & emergency surgery : TJTES, Vol.24(6), pp.587-593
- Publisher
- Turkish Assoc Trauma Emergency Surgery
- DOI
- 10.5505/tjtes.2018.13402
- PMID
- 30516261
- ISSN
- 1306-696X
- Number of pages
- 7
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2018
- Academic Unit
- Radiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984702823602771
Metrics
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