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| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| lifeskim:mentions | |
| pubmed:issue |
2
|
| pubmed:dateCreated |
1992-3-12
|
| pubmed:abstractText |
Thoracic penetrating injuries caused by a new plastic bullet were studied to determine the nature of the wounds and the appropriate management. Twenty-six casualties from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Intifada) were included. The organs most commonly involved were lung (n = 21), bony chest wall (n = 9), heart (n = 3), and diaphragm. Bleeding was at least moderate in 20 patients, amounting in all patients to an average of 975 ml. Thoracotomy was required in 11 patients (42%) mainly because of cardiac injury (n = 3) and aortic or other arterial bleeding (n = 3). Simple oversewing of severed organs (n = 8) or ligation of bleeding vessels (n = 3) was satisfactory. Two patients died (7.7% mortality); one after major liver resection; the other was dead on arrival. We conclude that plastic bullets have a linear course unless displaced by the bony chest wall, when they tend to fragment and cause simple fractures. Fired from a presumed range of at least 70 m, plastic bullets behave like low-velocity missiles, and tissue destruction is minimal. Management should be similar to that of civilian thoracic penetrating trauma.
|
| pubmed:language |
eng
|
| pubmed:journal | |
| pubmed:citationSubset |
AIM
|
| pubmed:chemical | |
| pubmed:status |
MEDLINE
|
| pubmed:month |
Feb
|
| pubmed:issn |
0022-5223
|
| pubmed:author | |
| pubmed:issnType |
Print
|
| pubmed:volume |
103
|
| pubmed:owner |
NLM
|
| pubmed:authorsComplete |
Y
|
| pubmed:pagination |
381-5
|
| pubmed:dateRevised |
2004-11-17
|
| pubmed:meshHeading | |
| pubmed:year |
1992
|
| pubmed:articleTitle |
Penetrating thoracic wounds caused by plastic bullets.
|
| pubmed:affiliation |
Department of Thoracic, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
|
| pubmed:publicationType |
Journal Article
|