Survey of Injuries due to Bullet and Fragmentation Munitions according to Files of Supreme Medical Commission

Document Type : Original Research

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Abstract

Introduction. Penetrating wounds resulting from gunshot and fragmentation munitions (such as grenades, land-mines, mortars, various missiles and bombs) were the major factor of injury in this war. The aim of this study was to review files of war casualties to obtain demographic data, distribution of different factors of injury, and involved anatomic regions to propose guidelines for reducing mortality and morbidity of penetrating wounds in battlefield conflicts. Material and Methods. In this cross-sectional study, available information such as age, educational degree, year and geographical location of injury, and factor of injury for 1000 casualties were obtained from accessible files of Supreme Medical Commission. Statistical indices such as frequency, mean and standard deviation were analyzed by SPSS 13 software. Results. Fragmentation munitions (58.3%) were the most prevalent factors of injury. The mean age of casualties was 21/9 years. Majority of injuries were occurred in 1361 (20.5%) and 52.3% were documented in southern fields. The most frequent involved anatomical regions were lower extremity and pelvis (30.5%), upper extremity (24%), head and neck (19%), abdomen and pelvic contents (10.5%), thorax (6.4%), brain (6.4%), and spinal column and cord (3.2%), respectively. Discussion. Regarding that fragments from explosion were the most frequent cause of injury, proper education for military personnel about appropriate application of body armors has a high importance.

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Journal of Military Medicine
Volume 9, Issue 3 - Serial Number 29
September and October 2007
Pages 225-231

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