Arrow wounds to the heart and mediastinum

Abstract

Wooden tipped arrows are still used in tribal fighting in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Thirteen cases of arrow injury to the heart and mediastinum, presenting at Mt. Hagen Hospital in a 2‐year period, are described. Ten cases presented early (within 3 days) while the remaining 3 cases presented late and suffered from mediastinal abscesses. Removal of the arrow, after full visualization with repair where possible, was performed in all cases with two deaths and little morbidity. Most of the 13 patients arrived in a stable condition, withstood surgery well and made a rapid recovery (average stay in hospital 20 days). Unstable presentations included 2 cases of mild shock, one with early cardiac tamponade and one case of acute aortic incompetence. Survival figures justify attempted salvage of these patients, even with the limited facilities available. Copyright © 1987 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd.