Gunshot wounds are complex, violent, and traumatic, accounting to be one of the most commonly encountered injuries in forensic practices. It leads to extensive damage of the soft tissues and comminuted open fractures due to the high-velocity nature of the injury. Smooth-bore firearms or shotguns have a completely different injury profile compared to rifled firearms. The shotgun cartridges consist of multiple projectiles that disperse a short distance from the muzzle, leading to more extensive damage. The penetrating power reduces with each projectile.
Treatment options can be both surgical and non-surgical, depending on the wound location, velocity, and severity. They are: 1. Non-surgical Local wound care Local wound care, tetanus vaccine and a short course of oral antibiotics 2. Surgical Treatment of other non-orthopedic injuries Open reduction and internal fixation or…
