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Shotgun "12/20 burst" injuries to the upper limb
1Department of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury SP2 8BJ, United Kingdom. titus.adams@btinternet.com
Summary
Accidental shotgun barrel explosions can happen when using the wrong gauge ammunition. This can lead to severe hand and forearm injuries, with concerns that these incidents may rise due to increased 20-gauge shotgun use.
Area of Science:
- Traumatology
- Firearm Safety
- Ballistics
Background:
- Shotgun barrel explosions, or bursts, occur when mismatched ammunition is used.
- This can result in severe injuries, particularly to the hands and forearms of the shooter.
- The medical literature has not extensively documented these specific injury patterns.
Observation:
- Two cases are presented involving injuries from placing 20-gauge cartridges into 12-bore shotguns.
- The incidents resulted in significant trauma to the left hand and forearm.
- These events highlight a potential, underreported risk in firearm usage.
Findings:
- Inadvertent use of 20-gauge ammunition in 12-bore shotguns can cause catastrophic barrel failure.
- Such failures lead to severe injuries, as evidenced by the described cases.
- The increasing popularity of 20-gauge shotguns may correlate with a rise in these incidents.
Implications:
- There is a need for increased awareness among shotgun users regarding ammunition compatibility.
- Medical professionals should be aware of this specific injury mechanism.
- Further research is warranted to determine the true incidence and long-term consequences of shotgun barrel bursts.
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