Hemorrhage Control in a Facial Gunshot Wound: A Case Report

Gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the head or face are among the most complex injuries secondary to a number of vital structures in a relatively small volume of space. Hemorrhage can be difficult to control with traditional techniques, and ongoing hemorrhage can further complicate securing the airway. We present the use of a hemostatic gel in a facial GSW. A 74-year-old male suffered a self-inflicted GSW to the submandibular region with significant hemorrhage in the setting of a suspected overdose of apixaban (Eliquis) and alprazolam (Xanax). Traditional methods were unable to control the bleeding, and a syringe of Traumagel, a hemostatic gel, was then deployed into the complex wound, which achieved hemostasis.