Citation

Baum GR, Baum JT, Hayward D, MacKay BJ. Orthop. Res. Rev. 2022; 14: 293-317.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Dove Press)

DOI

10.2147/ORR.S378278

PMID

36090309

PMCID

PMC9462949

Abstract

As the epidemic of gunshot injuries and firearm fatalities continues to proliferate in the United States, knowledge regarding gunshot wound (GSW) injury and management is increasingly relevant to health-care providers. Unfortunately, existing guidelines are largely outdated, written in a time that high-velocity weapons and deforming bullets were chiefly restricted to military use. Advances in firearm technology and increased accessibility of military grade firearms to civilians has exacerbated the nature of domestic GSW injury and complicated clinical decision-making, as these weapons are associated with increased tissue damage and often result in retained bullets. Currently, there is a lack of literature addressing recent advances in the field of projectile-related trauma, specifically injuries with retained bullets. This review aims to aggregate the available yet dispersed findings regarding ballistics, GSW etiology, and treatment, particularly for cases involving retained projectiles.

Language: en

Keywords

trauma; ballistics; gunshot injuries; orthopedic surgery; retained bullets