Citation

Walker ML, Poindexter JM, Stovall I. Surg. Gynecol. Obstet. 1990; 170(2): 97-105.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30335.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Martin Memorial Foundation)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2405527

Abstract

As an instrument of close range combat, the shotgun has no parallel. At short distances, its destructive capacity parallels that seen from high velocity missile injury. In this study, the history of the shotgun, wound ballistics, principles of initial therapy and special management problems related to shotgun wounds of specific sites are reviewed. An analysis of pooled data on abdominal shotgun wounds is presented. A subset of patients who do not require abdominal exploration exists. Specific problems encountered in defining this subset are enumerated. Three algorithms are presented that summarize our current management approach to shotgun wounds of the torso and extremities.

Language: en