Higher Complication Rates in Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds After Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer

Evidence-Based Medicine for Ballistic Maxillofacial Trauma

Ballistic trauma is a serious health issue with significant costs to physical, psychosocial, economic, and societal well-being. It may be caused from firearms, explosive devices, or any other projectile forces, and is characterized by severe tissue loss and evolving tissue devitalization. This review covers mechanism, diagnosis, and management of ballistic maxillofacial trauma, specifically. Initial evaluation includes stabilization of airway, bleeding, and circulation, followed by assessment of other injuries. The overall degree of tissue damage is determined by intrinsic patient factors and extrinsic projectile factors. Management of ballistic injuries has shifted toward advocation for early operative repair with the advent of antibiotics and advanced techniques in maxillofacial reconstruction. Appropriate timing and method of reconstruction should be carefully selected on a case-by-case basis. While ballistic trauma research is limited to studies biased by institutional practices, areas for further study identified from current literature include guidelines directing timing of reconstructive surgery; thresholds for free tissue transfer; handling of retained projectiles; incidence of surgical complications; and clinical outcomes for computer-aided surgical repair of these highly destructive injuries.

Facial Reconstruction Following Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds: Predictors, Complications, and Acceptable Outcomes

Background: Self-inflicted gunshot wounds (SIGSWs) produce devastating facial defects that are challenging to reconstruct, but are rarely reported in large cohorts in the literature. This study sought to characterize these injuries, and identify parameters influencing complications and outcomes among survivors following facial reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed identifying 22 patients with SIGSWs to the face reconstructed at our center from 2009 to 2019. Charts were reviewed for patient, injury, and reconstructive details and course. Outcomes were statistically compared to various parameters. Results: The most common firearm, orientation, and injured structure were the handgun (40.9%), submental (59.1%), and mandible (68.2%), respectively. Patients averaged a 21.7-day length of stay (LOS), 17.4 h to debridement, 2.6 days to bony fixation, 5.4 reconstructive surgeries, and 7 (31.8%) patients received at least one free flap. Fifteen (68.2%) patients had at least one major complication, although functional outcomes were ultimately relatively good overall. Notable outcome associations included submental orientation with a longer LOS (p = 0.027), external fixation with a longer LOS (p = 0.014), financial stressors with a shorter LOS (p = 0.031), and severe soft tissue injury with an increased total number of reconstructive surgeries (p = 0.039) and incomplete reconstruction (p = 0.031). There were no cases of suicidal recidivism. Conclusions: Reconstruction following facial SIGSW is challenging for both patient and surgeon, and carries a high rate of complications. However, patients can regain substantial function following reconstruction and the achievement of satisfactory outcomes.

Reconstructive Management of Gunshot Wounds to the Frontal Sinus: An Urban Trauma Center's Perspective

INTRODUCTION

In the last decade, we have seen a steady increase in the incidence of frontal sinus trauma due to gunshot wounds and a decrease in motor vehicle trauma. Penetrating gunshot wounds to the frontal sinus present a unique challenge to the reconstructive surgeon because they require careful consideration of the management principles of plastic surgery. Despite previous reviews on frontal sinus trauma, there are no studies examining the management techniques of frontal sinus fractures due specifically to gunshot wounds. In this study, we aim to retrospectively evaluate the use of a variety of tissue flaps in intervention and associated outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was completed on all patients with gunshot wound(s) to the frontal sinus from January 2010 to January 2018 at a single institution. The patients were classified based on the fracture pattern (anterior vs posterior table vs both), degree of displacement, presence of nasofrontal outflow tract injury, and evidence of cerebrospinal fluid leak. Patients were then stratified according to the type of reconstruction performed (cranialization, obliteration and need for free flap) and evaluated for major and minor complications after reconstruction.

RESULTS

In this study, we present outcome data from 28 cases of frontal sinus trauma due to gunshot wounds. There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.049) in the type reconstructive strategy employed with each type of flap, with pericranial flaps primarily used in cranialization, temporal grafts were more likely to be used in obliteration, and free flaps were more likely to be used in cranialization. The overall major complication rate was 52% (P = 0.248), with the most common acute major complication was cerebrospinal fluid leak (39%) and major chronic was abscess (23.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

This report explores the management of frontal sinus trauma and presents short-term outcomes of treatment for penetrating gunshot wounds at a tertiary referral center.

Penetrating Trauma Rapid Estimated Disability Scale: Assessing Facial Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds

Objectives: Self-inflicted facial gunshot wounds (GSWs) result in complex but consistent injuries that are often survivable. We suggest a novel method for rapid stratification into groups that may be associated with hospital course and cost after self-inflicted facial GSWs. Methods: This is retrospective review of self-inflicted facial GSWs between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2018, at a tertiary academic center. Patients were given a penetrating trauma rapid estimated disablity (PRED) score (1-4) based solely on radiologic imaging injury patterns. Clinicopathologic factors were then compared between groups. Results: There were 2 PRED 1 patients (15.1%), 8 PRED 2 patients (29.6%), 5 PRED 3 patients (18.5%), and 12 PRED 4 patients (44.4%). An increased PRED score was statistically associated with increasing mean days in intensive care unit (2.5 PRED 1, 4.2 PRED 2, 6 PRED 3, 11.6 PRED 4, p = 0.001), mean length of hospitalization (5.5 PRED 1, 13.1 PRED 2, 25.6 PRED 3, 39.8 PRED 4, p = 0.007), and mean cost ($) of hospitalization (22,000 PRED 1, 29,000 PRED 2, 37,000 PRED 3, 63,000 PRED 4, p = 0.01). Conclusions and Relevance: The PRED score for self-inflicted GSWs to the face is strongly associated with length of hospital stay and cost of hospitalization.