Gunshot wounds

Abstract

Gunshot wounds (GSWs) are one of the most fatal traumatic injuries. Bullets not only cause direct vital organ damage, but they can cause further problems from undermanagement of the wounds [1–3]. Soft tissue damage, foreign bodies, and bacterial contamination at GSW sites and along the wound tract are the factors that may cause infection and delay wound healing [4, 5]. After the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) protocol [2] for life–threatening condition, GWSs should be managed thoroughly. In this chapter, we describe the updated knowledge and principle of GSW management.