Heridas por arma de fuego en pacientes pediátricos / Gun-shot wounds in pediatric patients

ABSTRACT

Objective. To describe and analyze a series of pediatric patients who underwent surgery for craniocerebral gunshot wounds. Material and method. The study is a retrospective review of the clinical charts of patients with cranial gunshot injuries seen between 1987 and 2007. Results. In this period 40 patients were admitted and 38 were operated on always with general anesthesia. Mean age of the children was 7 years. Twenty eight patients were male and twelve female. Twelve children sustained transhemipheric injurieds, ten extradural injuries, 9 tangencial injuries, 5 bihemipheric injuries and 3 transventricular injuries. Mortality rate was 20% with a mean follow up of 36 months. Conclusion. We conclude that almost all cranial gunshot patients should initially receive aggressive surgical therapy with a previous CT scan.