Gunshot injuries of the abdominal aorta: a continuing challenge.

This is a retrospective study of 57 patients with gunshot injuries of the abdominal aorta. The aortic repair was achieved by various means: lateral aortorraphy, patch aortoplasty and graft insertion. There was an 85 per cent mortality rate from bleeding or secondary coagulopathy directly related to the aortic injuries.

Gunshot arterial injuries to the groin: comparison of iliac and femoral injuries.

In a prospective study of 69 patients with gunshot arterial injuries to the groin, there were 18 patients with iliac and 51 with femoral artery injuries. In the former group, the majority of patients were admitted with gross physiological derangement that did not respond to pre-operative resuscitation, so were taken directly to theatre. There was a 39 per cent peri-operative mortality.

Diaphragmatic herniation after penetrating trauma.

A study was made of 45 patients with diaphragmatic herniation after penetrating trauma. In 29 the diagnosis was established during the first admission (early presentation) and in 16 during a subsequent admission (delayed presentation). The mortality rate in the early presentation group was 3 per cent compared with 25 per cent in the delayed presentation group.

Gunshot injuries of the head of the pancreas: conservative approach.

This study is comprised of 48 patients with gunshot injuries of the head of the pancreas, many of which were high velocity injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our management policy for these injuries based on our recent wide experience. Patients with grade II and III injuries underwent conservative surgery, with 0% and 21% postoperative mortality, respectively, directly related to the pancreatic injury.