Firearm-related injuries: clinical considerations on 1326 cases

We evaluated the characteristics of 1326 patients with gunshot wounds, between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2002, considering sex, ages, circumstances, involved regions, hospitalization, surgical procedures performed, complications, sequelae, and mortality. They were analyzed by a retrospective statistical study and compared applying the Z test. The results showed that only 7% were women; mean age was 28.35 years, and there were significant differences in self-inflicted injuries depending on age and sex. Wounds were usually located in one body region. Most frequent surgical procedures were pleural drainages and "surgical toilette" in open fractures. Infections and neurological sequelae were the most frequent complications. The mortality rate was 6.18%. More people died at the scene than at the hospital. Increasing violence, all over the world, brings a higher number of people with gunshot wounds to hospitals. Sequelae cause a complete change in people's lives, not only through the resultant disability, but also by causing work and social problems.