• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.277-281
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• 2022

Craniocerebral gunshot injuries is gradually increasing in the civilian population with a worse prognosis than closed head trauma. We experienced a case of craniocerebral gunshot injury which a bullet penetrating from the submandibular area into the clivus of a patient. The patient did not show any symptom. However, serial laboratory findings showed an increase in blood lead level. We removed foreign bodies without any problems using an endoscopic transnasal transclival approach. Due to the extremely low frequency, guidelines for definitive management of gunshot injuries have not been presented in Korea yet. We introduce our surgical experience of a craniocerebral gunshot injury with an unusual approach for removing intracranial foreign bodies.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.81-84
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• 2012

Gunshot wounds are unpredictable and require early, precise diagnosis and treatment. A penetrating gunshot wound can be fatal due to compromised airway, hypovolemic shock, lead poisoning and infection. This case report describes a 48-year-old male patient who had a suicidal gunshot wound on the right temporomandibular joint area using an air rifle. We successfully managed the patient by preoperative embolization, surgical removal of the foreign body and primary closure.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.60-63
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• 2003

Gunshot injuries can range from the most minor to the life-threatening. Multidisciplinary care is required for successful management of patients, In the acute phase, care may involve emergency surgeons, anaesthesists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmic surgeons, vascular surgeons, ENT specialist in addition to the oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Afterwards, definitive treatment of facial gunshot injuries depends ultimately on the abilities and skills of the oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and their appreciation of such injuries. The timing and sequence of the surgical procedures used for reconstruction and rehabilitation of maxillofacial gunshot injuries are crucial to a successful outcome and aesthetic result. If incorrect, they may lead indefinitely to infection, graft rejection, wound dehiscence with consequent multiple revisional operations and complication which will prolong hospital stay and increase treatment costs and morbidity on those patients. We present a gunshot case of a 46-year-old man who tried to commit sucide, and have avulsive and penerating wounds on the face and the neck. We removed the scattered bullets and fragments successfully and the wounds were closed primarily.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.51-54
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• 2017

We here report a case of long-term fistula formation due to bullet retention for 30 years in the lumbar spine after a gunshot injury, and describe its treatment. A 62-year-old male visited our hospital due to pus-like discharge from his left flank. The discharge had been present for 30 years, since his recovery from an abdominal gunshot injury. A spine radiography showed radiopaque material in the body of the third lumbar vertebra. Foreign body was removed using an anterolateral retroperitoneal approach. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged 7 days after the operation and was followed-up for 8 months, during which time, the fistula did not reoccur. A bullet retained long term in the vertebral body may cause obstinate osteomyelitis and fistula formation. A fistula caused by a foreign body in the spine can be effectively treated by surgical removal.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2007

Objective : Civilian gunshot injuries to the brain are relatively rare and study of these injuries has been neglected in South Korea. We present our experience with penetrating gunshot injuries to the brain and review the outcome of surgical management, as well as other clinical predictors influencing the prognosis. Methods : We present a retrospective analysis of 13 patients with penetrating gunshot injuries to the brain who were treated at our hospital over a period of 22 years. Results : The Glasgow Coma Scale[GCS] score on admission was recorded to be : 3-5 in 1 patient, 6-8 in 3 patients, 9-12 in 2 patients and 13-15 in 7 patients. There were 11 patients who underwent surgical treatment, and the surgical mortality rate was 0%. The admission GCS score was the most valuable prognostic factor. The best results were found to be in patients admitted with an initial GCS higher than 13. There were no favorable outcomes in patients admitted with a GCS of 8 or lower. There was a correlation between the presence of a transventricular or bihemispheric trajectory and poor outcome. The patients admitted with unilobar wounds resulted in better outcome than those with bilobar or multilobar wounds. Retained deep intracranial bone or metal fragments were the most common postoperative complication. However, retained fragments did not increase the risk of infection or seizure. Conclusion : Our results suggest that a less aggressive approach, consisting of minimal local debridement and removal of the bone and metal fragments that are easily accessible, can be successfully used in civilian gunshot wounds to the brain.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.224-227
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• 2000

Gunshot wounds to the face are often dramatic at the time of presentation. Although care must be individualized, protocol approach helps the clinician rapidly evaluate patient and plan treatment. Early X-ray films help to determine the precise trajectory. Rapid neurologic assessment and early CT scanning based on physical examination ot trajectory will allow for identification of even occult injuries early. Lead poisoning arising from bullet lead in the synovial cavity of the hip, synovial cavity of the chest and pleural space have been reported. A combination of surgical debridement and chelation therapy with oral succimer produce a satisfactory outcome. We have managed a patient with Lt facial gunshot wound and Lt mandible angle fracture by open reduction of angle fracture and surgical removal of remnant bullet and medially advanced cheek skin flap. We have obtained good result and report this case with review of literatures.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and computed tomographic features of 7 cases of maxillofacial gunshot injuries in the suicidal patients visited the emergency room, Capital Armed Forces General Hospital. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The gunshot wounds were directed from submental area to dorsum of nose(3 cases), frontal area(1 case), orbit(1 case), infraorbital area (1 case), and lateral to nasal wing(l case). The shape of inlet in gunshot wounds were round (diameter: l-3cm) and that of outlet were oval shape(size : inlet

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 2005

Penetrating neck trauma by gunshot injury involving tracheobronchial tree is rare in Korea. Extensive tissue damage by cavitation, tissue fragmentation and shock wave transmission of high-velocity projectile along with associated organ injury renders high rate of mortality and morbidity. A 28 year old man in military service with gunshot wound in left cervical area presented initial symptoms of severe dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema. Computed tomography of chest and cervical region as well as bronchoscopic evaluation was performed to confirm highly suspected injury to cervical trachea. Surgical exposure was established through a low collar incision; the damaged segment of 3.5 cm length including 2-4th tracheal rings was resected out and end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Bleeding from lacerated anterior jugular vein was controlled by ligation of both ends and a K2 bulllet was found upon inner border of body of first rib, medial to right carotid sheath and removed out. Cervical esophagus, carotid artery, internal jugular vein and recurrent laryngeal nerve were spared. Extubation was done on the first postoperative day and postoperative course until discharge on nineth postoperative day remained uneventful.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.87-91
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• 2024

Gunshot-induced chest trauma is exceedingly rare among civilians in South Korea due to strong firearm control policies. In contrast to military reports emphasizing the use of emergent open thoracotomy to increase chances of survival, most penetrating non-cardiac injuries in civilian settings are managed conservatively, such as through chest tube insertion, as they typically result from lower-energy bullets. However, early surgical intervention for penetrating gunshot wounds can help reduce delayed fatalities caused by septic complications from pneumonia or empyema. The advent of minimally invasive thoracic surgery has provided cost-effective and relatively non-invasive treatment options, aided in the prevention of potential complications from undrained hematomas, and facilitated functional recovery and reintegration into society. We successfully treated a patient with a penetrating gunshot wound to the chest using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2012

Gunshot wounds are rare in Korea, but they have tended to increase recently. We experienced an interesting case of penetrating gunshot injuries to the cervical spine with migration the fragments of the bullet within the dural sac of the cervical spine, so discuss the pathomechanics, treatment and complications of gunshot wounds to the spine and present a review of the literature. A 38-year-old man who had tried to commit suicide with a gun was admitted to our hospital with a penetrating injury to the anterior neck. the patient had quadriplegia. A Computed tomography (CT) scan and 3-dimensional CT of the spine showed destruction of the left lateral mass and lamina of the 5th cervical vertebra; the bullet and fragments were found at the level of the 5th cervical vertebra. The posterior approach was done. A total laminectomy and removal of the lateral mass of the 5th cervical vertebrae were performed, and bone fragments and pellets were removed from the spinal canal, but an intradurally retained pellets were not totally removed. A dural laceration was noted intraoperatively, and CSF leakage was observed, so dura repair was done watertightly with prolene 6-0. The dura repair site was covered with fibrin glue and Tachocomb$^{(R)}$. Immediately, a lumbar drain was done. Radiographs included a postoperative CT scan and X-rays. The postoperative neurological status of the patient was improved compared with the preoperative neurological status. however, the patients developed symptoms of menigitis. He received lumbar drainage(200~250 cc/day) and ventilator care. After two weeks, panperitonitis due to duodenal ulcer perforation was identified. Finally, the patient died because of sepsis.