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GUNSHOT WOUNDS MANAGEMENT IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT; A REVIEW OF CURRENT LITERATURE

Ehab Osama Mugharbal , Shroug Ali Algoba , Talal Ahmed Alghamdi , Althobaiti Thamer Abdullah , Riyad Ibrahim Abdulrhman , Orjuwan Abdulbari Mazi , Bader Mohammed Saleh Nasief

Introduction: The National Vital Statistics Reports estimated that more than 31,000 deaths occurred due to a gunshot injury in the United States in the year 2009 alone. A gunshot wound can result in varying levels of tissue damage. This depends on several factors including the type of the gun as a high-velocity gun will lead to more damage of the soft tissue than a low-velocity gun. Methodology: We conducted this review using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE, January 1985, through February 2017. The following search terms were used: gun-shot wounds, emergency department management, acute hemodynamic management of gun-shot wound, penetrating foreign body Aim: In this review, we aim to study emergent management of gun-shot wound with respect different parts of the body Conclusion: Gunshot wounds can be in any part of the body, and the site of it will determine management plan. Abdominal gunshot wounds are managed surgically with laparotomy when there are peritoneal signs and/or hemodynamic instability. Head gunshot wounds are more severe and associated with significant mortality and mortality where only 9% of patients survive despite strict management. In all cases hemodynamic stabilization is the priority, followed by surgical intervention. Keywords: gun-shot wounds, emergent management of gun-shot wounds, penetrating foreign objects.

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