Managing the penetrated traumatic spinal injury by an airgun shot: A case report from Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

Penetrated Traumatic Spinal Injury by Airgun Shot are rare events. As a result, handling this case is both, thrilling and challenging. We present a case of a penetrated traumatic spinal injury from an airgun, as well as a summary of the literature on how to treat them. A 9-year-old boy was taken to hospital after being shot in the right side of his front neck with an air rifle. The patient had been shot from a distance with an upfront direction. The patient had no breathing problem but complained of pain during swallowing. The patient was conscious, alert, and oriented. There was no breathing distress. The head and neck Computed Tomography Scan displayed a foreign body with metal-density at the vertebral body of the first thoracal and discontinuity of the esophageal wall. Debridement and exploration surgery have successfully released the bullet. Repair trachea had been performed. Postoperatively, the patient had no complications. We can conclude that a foreign body at the spine, especially in the vertebral body of the cervical, can be effectively and safely released by exploration surgery.