World Journal of Emergency Surgery (Jun 2009)

Penetrating injury to the chest by an attenuated energy projectile: a case report and literature review of thoracic injuries caused by "less-lethal" munitions

  • Porto Leonardo BO,
  • Silva Fabriccio DF,
  • Rezende-Neto Joao,
  • Teixeira Luiz C,
  • Tien Homer,
  • Rizoli Sandro B

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-7922-4-26
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
p. 26

Abstract

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Abstract We present the case of a patient who sustained a penetrating injury to the chest caused by an attenuated energy rubber bullet and review the literature on thoracic injuries caused by plastic and rubber "less-lethal" munitions. The patient of this report underwent a right thoracotomy to extract the projectile as well as a wedge resection of the injured lung parenchyma. This case demonstrates that even supposedly safe riot control munition fired at close range, at the torso, can provoke serious injury. Therefore a thorough investigation and close clinical supervision are justified.