Abdominal trauma due to blank cartridge guns

Abstract

Objectives: Blank cartridge guns that are used as weapons of defense are being used widely because of gaps in the law. Both the original weapon and those with modifications are able to cause serious injury.
Materials and Methods: In this study, seven patients who sustained abdominal injuries caused by blank cartridge guns which were modified to shoot metal shot, during 2005, were studied. All patients had laporotomies with the diagnosis of penetrating abdominal trauma. Operative findings, postoperative complications, Abdominal Trauma Index, Injury Severity Score and Trauma Score were recorded.
Results: There was one woman and six men in the cohort. The mean age was 27.1±17.2 years. Six patients were younger than 30 years old. Two patients had a single organ injury, one patient had a large abdominal wall defect, while four patients sustained multiple organ injuries. The mean length of hospitalization was 9.6±2.1 days. Postoperative complications (wound infection and pneumonia) were seen in two patients. The mean scores of Abdominal Trauma Index, Injury Severity Score and Trauma Score were as 12.3±9.3; 9.15±5.9; 12.7±1.6 respectively.
Conclusion: Although blank cartridge guns are accepted as harmless, physicians should be aware of the risk of serious injuries threatening human life. Legislative action should be taken to lessen the impact of these weapons.