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Homemade Dart Attacks in Hawai'i
Prashanth K Balaraman1, Karen Ng2, Kyle Perry2
1Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
The American Surgeon
|June 12, 2023
Summary
Homemade metallic darts caused penetrating injuries in 7 male patients, with deep tissue penetration requiring intervention in some cases. No fatalities were reported, but these weapons pose a significant risk of life-threatening trauma.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Penetrating injuries from unconventional weapons pose unique challenges in trauma care.
- Homemade metallic darts, previously documented in Micronesia, represent a novel assault method in domestic settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the first reported domestic cases of penetrating injuries from homemade metallic darts.
- To analyze patient demographics, injury patterns, and management outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of patients with dart injuries at a Level I Trauma Center.
- Data collection included demographics, imaging findings, and clinical management details.
Main Results:
- Seven male patients (median age 24.6 years) presented with deep penetrating injuries from homemade metallic darts.
- Injuries involved the neck, torso, or extremities, with three patients requiring surgical intervention.
- No mortalities were observed in the study cohort.
Conclusions:
- Homemade metallic darts can inflict deep, potentially life-threatening penetrating injuries.
- Prompt medical evaluation and management are crucial for patients sustaining these types of wounds.
