Skip to main content
Log in

Gunshot Wounds to the Face: Emergency Interventions and Outcomes

  • Published:
World Journal of Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Gunshot wounds to the face (GSWF) may produce life-threatening injuries. Our objective is to describe outcomes of and factors related to interventions for urgent airway control (UAC) and urgent bleeding control (UBC) as well as to analyze complications associated with GSWF.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 155 GSWF patients who were admitted to two Level 1 academic trauma centers over an 11-year period. Demographic details, injuries sustained, interventions performed, and timing of the interventions were recorded. Morbidity and mortality data were evaluated.

Results

Overall, 115 (74 %) patients suffered isolated GSWF, and none died. Of the 90 (58 %) patients requiring UAC, only three had a cricothyroidotomy. Of the 41 (26 %) patients requiring UBC, only four had angiographic embolization. Intraoral involvement and extrafacial injuries were associated with both UAC and UBC. Overall, 75 patients (48 %) required operations on the bones, eyes, or both. Complications developed in 14 and were treated successfully.

Conclusions

UAC and UBC are required frequently after GSWF and are associated with intraoral involvement and injuries beyond the face. Simple methods, such as orotracheal intubation and packing, are typically sufficient for successful management. About half of the patients need further surgery, with infrequent morbidity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gotsch KE, Annest JL, Mercy JA et al (2001) Surveillance for fatal and nonfatal firearm-related injuries. MMWR 50:1–32

    Google Scholar 

  2. McLean JN, Moore CE, Yellin SA (2005) Gunshot wounds to the face: acute management. Facial Plast Surg 21:191–198

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Demetriades D, Chahwan S, Gomez H et al (1998) Initial evaluation and management of gunshot wounds to the face. J Trauma 45:39–41

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hollier L, Grantcharova EP, Kattash M (2001) Facial gunshot wounds: a 4-year experience. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 59:277–282

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Weider L, Hughes K, Ciarochi J et al (1999) Early versus delayed repair of facial fractures in the multiply injured patient. Am Surg 65:790–793

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Siberchicot F, Pinsolle J, Majoufre C et al (1998) Gunshot injuries to the face: analysis of 165 cases and reevaluation of the primary treatment. Ann Chir Plast Esthet 43:132–140

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Motamedi MH (2011) Management of firearm injuries to the facial skeleton: outcomes from the early primary intervention. J Emerg Trauma Shock 4:212–216

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kaufman Y, Cole P, Hollier LH Jr (2009) Facial gunshot wounds: trends in management. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr 2:85–90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Glapa M, Kourie JF, Doll D et al (2007) Early management of gunshot injuries to the face in civilian practice. World J Surg 31:2104–2110. doi:10.1007/s00268-007-9220-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Pereira C, Boyd JB, Dickenson B et al (2012) Gunshot wounds to the face: level I urban trauma center—a 10-year level I urban trauma center experience. Ann Plast Surg 68:378–381

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to George Orthopoulos.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Orthopoulos, G., Sideris, A., Velmahos, E. et al. Gunshot Wounds to the Face: Emergency Interventions and Outcomes. World J Surg 37, 2348–2352 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-013-2139-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-013-2139-x

Keywords

Navigation