Terminal ballistics of the Russian AK 74 assault rifle: two wounded patients and experimental findings.

Objective: To study the effects of the Russian AK 74 assault rifle missile (5.45 x 39 mm) on an experimental model and on two wounded patients.

Design: Experimental and clinical study.

Substitute ellipse of the permanent cavity in gelatin blocks and debridement of gunshot wounds.

A new method in terminal ballistics is presented that allows precise numerical analysis of characteristics of the permanent cavity by computed tomography (CT). Shots were made with a Russian AK-74 assault rifle (5.45 mm) into gelatin used as a tissue simulant.

Multiple injuries in peacetime and wartime estimate of severity of injury by the Injury Severity Score and Polytraumaschlüssel.

Objective: To compare the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and Polytraumaschlüssel (PTS) in patients with multiple peacetime and wartime injuries.

Design: Prospective and retrospective study.

Setting: General hospital, Croatia.

Initial throw locking internal knotting technique.

Internal knotting is a highly versatile technique that closely resembles classic suturing. However, most intracorporeal knots are cumbersome and require a long time to master. We describe a simple, easy, and safe method for internal knotting that can also be used in open procedures and practiced until mastery is achieved.