Pneumatic Nail Gun Injury Complicated with Bladder Penetration and Occult Jejunum Perforation

Abstract

Injuries due to the improper or careless use of pneumatic nail guns have been reported since the introduction of the tool in the 1950s. The sites of injury include the hands, lower limbs and other areas that can produce life-threatening injuries. An example of the latter, which occurs infrequently, is perforation of the abdomen. We present an abdominal injury from a self-inflicted wound while using a pneumatic nail gun. The injury involved the lower abdomen and was complicated with penetration of the bladder and occult perforation of the jejunum. This rare bowel injury could have been catastrophic had it escaped diagnosis. We recommend that a prompt exploratory laparotomy with a thorough survey should be performed in such patients.