Non-fatal gunshot injuries during criminal acts in Mexico, 2013–2019

IntroductionAs the volume of firearms (legal and illegal) in Mexico grows, gun violence has become a major public health challenge. While studies have focused on gun-related homicides and robberies, there is a dearth of research addressing non-fatal gunshot injuries. At the same time, official government sources report limited information and undercount these injuries.ObjectiveThe objective of this article is threefold. First, to provide data of non-fatal gunshot injuries sustained during crimes in Mexico; second, to estimate their initial individual healthcare costs; finally, to compare those costs to those resulting from other forms of injuries. This article contributes to discussions on gun violence in Mexico and its impact on public health.MethodsWe analysed Mexico’s National Crime Victimization Survey from 2014 to 2020.FindingsWe estimated that there were approximately 150 415 non-fatal gunshot injuries during crimes perpetrated from 2013 to 2019. We found that most non-fatal criminal gunshot injuries occur during a robbery and that victims tend to be men and young people between 18 and 35 years of age. Most of these injuries occur in urban areas and public spaces. While non-fatal gun-related injuries are not as common during crimes as other non-fatal injuries, their initial individual healthcare expenses are significantly higher. Crimes involving gun-related injuries reported an average expense of 16 643 pesos and crimes involving other forms of injuries reported an average of 1281 pesos. This discrepancy highlights the health burden associated with gun violence.

SIZE AND STRUCTURE OF SANITARY LOSSES IN WARS OF MODERN LOCAL ARMED CONFLICTS IN GUNSHOT INJURIES OF THE ABDOMEN WITH DAMAGE TO THE COLON

The purpose of the study is to analyze the sources of domestic and world literature with the study of the magnitude and structure of sanitary losses in wars and modern local armed conflicts with gunshot wounds to the abdomen with damage to the colon. To investigate sanitary losses at gunshot wounds of a colon. Conclusions. Sanitary losses in wars of local armed conflicts with gunshot wounds to the abdomen with damage to the colon remain high worldwide, despite individual means of protecting the torso. In this regard, it is notable to further study the anatomical and clinical features of gunshot wounds of the colon in the experience of the antiterrorist operation in eastern Ukraine.

A Clinical Analysis of the Medicolegal Cases Presented at Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot

Objective: To determine the clinical pattern of the medicolegal cases presented at Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot Material and Methods: It was a retrospective Hospital based cross-sectional study, which was conducted at medicolegal clinic of government Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot. All the cases those, who were presented at emergency department (medicolegal clinic) with history of industrial injuries, Road traffic accidents, burns, Assault, Falls and Poisoning and others with either of age and gender were included. This analysis was of one year from January 2020 to December 2020. All the data was recorded via self-made study proforma and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 1079 medicolegal incidents were analysed. Out of all blunt injury, sharp weapon injury, poisoning, acid intake and road traffic incidences were found to be commonest as 27.20%, 20.60%, 15.60%, 12.40% and 10.20% respectively. Blunt injuries, sharp weapon injuries, gunshot injuries and alcohol intake incidences were significantly higher among males and poisoning and acid intake incidences were significantly high among females (p-<0.05). Blunt injuries, sharp weapon injuries, alcohol and poisoning events were seen significantly high almost during winter season from January to march (p-0.001). Conclusion: In the study conclusion, blunt injury, sharp weapon injury, poisoning, acid intake and road traffic incidences were observed to be the commonest medicolegal incidences. These events mostly observed during January to March duration. However blunt injuries, sharp weapon injuries, gunshot injuries and alcohol intake incidences were mostly observed among males, while poisoning and acid intake incidences among females. Keywords: Medicolegal events, gender, season

Gunshot injury in children: A 3-year review of cases that presented to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, North Central Nigeria

Objectives: Gunshot injuries among children are a major clinical and public health concern and one of the leading causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality. This usually takes a great financial and emotional toll on the affected children, their families, and society as a whole. The objective of the study was to determine the pattern of injury, severity, outcome, and challenges in managing the gunshot injuries in children. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive study of patients below 18 years of age who presented with gunshot injuries to the Jos University Teaching Hospital between January 2011 and December 2014. Patient demographics and clinical details were collected on a trauma data sheet, and entered into an Excel spreadsheet. It was analyzed descriptively. Results: Two hundred and forty-two patients presented with gunshot injuries in the period under review, of which 30 of them were children. The median age of the patients was 12 years with an interquartile range of 7.75 and 16.25. Twenty-two (73.3%) of them were male while 8 (26.7%) were female. High-velocity firearms accounted for 13 (43.3%) of the injuries and were the most predominant cause of injury. The most common part of the body involved was the extremities in 63.3% of patients. Debridement and secondary suturing was carried out in 83.3% of the patients while wound infection was the most noted complication in 33.3% of the patients. Conclusion: There is an increasing incidence of gunshot injuries in this region. A lot of the children survive and reach the hospital though, and most of them are treated and discharged, however, attendant emotional and psychological trauma cannot be excluded in these patients. There is, thus, a need for proper policy to protect and treat these children when this happens.

Features of the national development of possibilities forensic diagnostics of the gunshot injuries

This article shows the role and contribution of individual forensic scientists and famous forensic academies in the development of learning gunshot injuries. The article presents an analysis of the national literary sources concerning development of possibilities and methods of forensic diagnostics of the main traumatic factor of gunshot injuries. The role of up-to-date digital technologies, particularly the method of three-dimensional spatial reconstruction of the gunshot wounds, which can empower possibilities of forensic diagnostics of the main traumatic factor of gunshot injuries are shown. Aim of the work. To analyze the development of diagnostic methods of a kind of the main traumatic factor of gunshot injuries in forensic medicine, to find the up-to-date and most diagnostically valuable methods for further investigation and implementation into experts’ practical work. Conclusions. Analysis of national forensic experts’ studies shows that forensic medical examination of gunshot body wounds has always been of current interest and become more and more actual. In every period of forensic medicine development new instrumental and laboratory methods of examination of gunshot wounds have appeared. One of the most topical and promising methods are means of the three-dimensional spatial reconstruction. It can improve the possibilities of forensic medical diagnostics of a kind and characteristic of the main traumatic factor of gunshot wounds.

Microscopic picture of the entrance hole of gunshot wounds

Forensic medical examination should always be based on incontestable provisions, proven by appropriate scientific development. In some cases, the scientific development of individual issues available to date turns out to be insufficient and we have to look for new evidence that will facilitate the exact resolution of the questions posed to the examination. This is the position now on the issue of gunshot injuries.

Scrotal self-inflicted gunshot injuries: report of two consecutive cases and literature review

Background Isolated scrotal gunshot injuries are uncommon. Even more so when they are self-inflicted. The extent of the injury is determined by the caliber of the weapon. Established management protocols when followed yields excellent results. Case presentations We present two male patients, aged 41 and 51 years old, who sustained gunshot injuries to the scrotum following accidental discharges from hand guns stored in their trouser pockets. The first (41 years) sustained grade 5 American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) left testicular injury and was managed by unilateral orchidectomy. The second (51 years old) sustained bilateral grade 4 AAST testicular injuries and had both testes salvaged by primary repair after meticulous debridement. Conclusion Isolated scrotal gunshot injuries can occur when low velocity guns are placed adjacent to the genitalia and accidentally discharged. The testes are endangered and can be devitalized requiring orchidectomy or salvaged by meticulous debridement and primary repair when viability is not compromised.

Lerichéa surgery for causalgia

The syndrome of this disease is observed in gunshot injuries of large nerve trunks, abundantly supplied with vessels, and is expressed in unbearable, burning and stabbing pains, which are aggravated at physical and mental distresses of the patient. These pains usually come on the 2nd week after the injury and do not give the patient any rest day or night. At the same time, vasomotor disorders are detected in the patients.