Civilian gunshot wounds to the head

Civilian Gunshot Wounds (GSWs) to the head are important causes of mortality. The severity of GSWs is related to several factors. Patients with GSWs tend to do very well or very poor depending on these factors.

We retrospectively reviewed 47 patients with GSWs to the head during the last 5 years. Clinical and radiological findings of cases are described. Statistical analysis was used to find the effects of all independent variables with mortality and the prognostic factors.

Glasgow Outcome Scale results showed that 38% of patients died, 13% were moderately disabled and 49% had good recovery at discharge. Patients with respiratory depression, hypovolemia, bilateral pupil dilatation, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 3 to 5, central bihemispheric and transventricular injury experienced 100% mortality. The mortality rate was 58% in patients with intracerebral or subdural hematoma, 78% in multilobar injury, 14% in unilobar injury and 57% in self-inflicted wounds. The postoperative mortality was 27%.

The manuscript describes the clinical experience of penetrating missile injuries in a Turkish civilian practice. Mortality and/or poor outcome are relatively high in spite of the cases wounded by low-velocity weapons. We should emphasize that following stabilization of vital signs, all patients with GCS scores of 3 to 5 should be evaluated immediately with CT and treated conservatively. If it is appropriate the patients with a GCS score higher than 8 should undergo surgery. Patients with GCS scores of 6 to 8 should be followed closely and treated with surgery when necessary even if they have poor prognosis.