Thoracic Wounds by Firearm at the University Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo (YO)

Abstract

Introduction: Thoracic wounds by firearms are frequent and severe. They may involve the patient’s prognosis. Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of the thoracic wounds by firearms. Material and method: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of all patients over the age of 15 who consulted in the university hospital-YO in the department of general and digestive surgery over a period of 5 years. Results: We collected 50 cases of thoracic wounds by firearms on 183 thoracic wounds with a prevalence of 27.3%. There were 48 men (96%). The average age was 30 years. The patients came from urban areas in 66% of cases; the informal sector accounted for 44% of the cases. The pistol was the most involved firearm (46.9%). The consultation period was less than 6 hours in 78% of patients. An unstable hemodynamic state was found in 42% (n = 21). A fluid and mixed pleural effusion syndrome was found in 46% and 26% of patients, respectively. Associated lesions were diaphragm involvement, and lesions of intra-abdominal hollow organs. Thoracic drainage was performed in 24 patients (48%) and was associated with a laparotomy in 8 patients. The average hospital stay was 7.5 days. Mortality was 14%. Conclusion: the thoracic wounds by firearms are frequent in civilian practice. The thoracic CT allows mapping of the lesions and thoracic drainage constitutes the essential part of surgical treatment. The fight against the proliferation of weapons deserves to be promoted.