Pattern of firearm injuries in head and neck regions at a tertiary care hospital

To determine the characteristics of firearm injuries on head and neck in patients presenting to the Ear Nose and Throat Department of a tertiary care hospital.

This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from June 2014 to May 2015, and comprised victims of firearm injuries. They were subjected to a thorough examination of the wounds specifically and the rest of the Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck regions generally. Data was collected on a proforma. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis.

Out of the 56 patients, 49(87.5%) were men. The overall mean age was 28.68±1.63 years (range: 6-80 years. Besides, 33(58.9%) patients were in the age range 20-40 years followed by 18(32.1%) below 20 years. Overall, 27(48.2%) patients were jobless and 24(42.9%) had education below grade ten. Pistol was the most commonly-used weapon in 28(50%).Hospital stay was 2-10 days with a mean of 4.37±1.74 days. Single-entry wound on the neck was common 21(37.5%), predominantly on the right side 24(42.9%), while there were 33(58.9%) single-exit wounds, affecting neck in 18(32.1%) cases and on the left side in 19(33.9%).

Firearm injuries were common among young men who were illiterate and poor socioeconomically. Homicidal injuries mostly occurred during the daytime. Pistol was the most commonly-used weapon, while wounds on the neck were more common.