An Evaluation of Firearm Injuries in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to analyze the patients who visit to the Emergency Department (ED) with firearm-related injuries. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 18 years and older with firearm-related injuries who presented to the ED between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 were included in this study. The patients' age, gender, cause of injury, weapon used injury area of the body, presence of fracture, duration of hospitalization and clinical outcome were evaluated. Results: 299 adult patients were included in the study. 84.3% of patients were male and, mean age was 32.6+/-12.7. Most of injuries (90.6%) were intentional. The used weapon was mainly pistol (50.8%). Extremity injuries were most commonly seen (%68.6) and 32% of them had fractures. The extremity fracture was mostly seen in pistol injuries (31.6%). The mortality rate was 6.4% in all patients. The rate of admission in patient with pistol injuries was 53.9%. It was determined that 70.1% of abdominal injuries and 55.7% of thoracic injuries were hospitalized. Conclusion: According to our study, intentional was the most cause of injury. Pistol/handgun was the most frequent used weapon. The most frequent injuries were in extremities. Hospitalization rate was higher in abdominal and thoracic injuries.