Experiences of the High-Velocity Firearm Injuries at the Forearm and Hand

Abstract

Objective: Weapon injuries have been increasing due to use of weapons widespread. This study aims to describe our experiences with high-velocity firearm injuries to the forearm and the hand. Material and Methods: Seven patients who had high - velocity firearm injuries to the forearm and the hand were included in this study that was conducted between 2010 and 2015. All patients were male, and their mean age was 25 years (range, 21-33 years). On the average, patients were operated on within the first eight hours (range, 6–12 hours). There were two forearm injuries and five hand injuries. Revascularization could not be performed for two finger injuries, and the digits were amputated. Two forearm and three hand vascular injuries that needed microvascular anastomosis were operated on using interposition vein grafts. Vein grafts were obtained from saphenous veins in two patients and from dorsal foot veins in three patients. Results: No microvascular complications were seen in the early or late follow-up periods. Phalanx fractures were seen in all hand injuries. On the average, patients were operated on three times (range: two-five) in the follow-up period. Conclusion: In firearm injuries, microvascular repair should be performed out of injury zones; surgeons should not hesitate to use interpositional vein graft for microvascular repair, and physical rehabilitations of patients should be started in the early follow-up period.

Keywords

• Firearm injuries
• forearm
• hand