BACKGROUND Pneumatic nail guns were first introduced in the 1950's, which revolutionized the construction industry. Since that time, nail gun injuries have been reported predominantly in the extremities with rare cases of thoracic and head injuries. A nail gun can easily propel nails through human tissue with velocities varying based on propellant and object. There are limited case reports on the appropriate management of thoracic nail gun injuries. CASE REPORT A 30-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with right-sided chest pain seven and a half hours after getting struck in the right lateral thorax with a pneumatic nail gun. The patient was hemodynamically stable and without respiratory distress. A chest X-ray was taken and showed a right pneumothorax with a retained radio-opaque object at the right lung hilum. A CT angiogram subsequently showed the object abutting the right middle lobe branch of the pulmonary artery. Cardiothoracic surgery was called and the patient was taken urgently to the operating room for right thoracotomy, finding the nail deep in the right fissure at the hilum with the nail head in contact but not puncturing the right middle lobe branch of the pulmonary artery. The patient was extubated and recovered well postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS This case demonstrates the critical nature of nail gun injuries and can better inform the trauma protocols used to treat these injuries. Even in a delayed presentation, there should be a high suspicion of traumatic lung and cardiac injuries due to the velocities obtained with pneumatic nail guns.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.12659/AJCR.937641 | DOI Listing |
Am J Ind Med
January 2025
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Background: This study aimed to assess how knee savers (KSs) and knee pads (KPs) alleviate risks of knee musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among roofers during various phases of shingle installation. These phases encompass (1) reaching for shingles, (2) placing shingles, (3) grabbing a nail gun, (4) moving to the first nailing position, (5) nailing shingles, (6) replacing the nail gun, and (7) returning to an upright position.
Methods: In a laboratory setting, nine male participants simulated the shingle installation task on a slope-adjustable roof platform (0°, 15°, and 30° slopes) under four intervention conditions: no intervention (NO); with KPs only (KP); with KSs only (KS); and with both KPs and KSs (BO).
Trauma Case Rep
December 2024
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI 48201, United States of America.
We present a case involving a 36-year-old male who experienced a nail gun injury to the posterolateral knee, leading to intraoperative nail removal. We observed bisection of the common peroneal nerve during the procedure with tethering, fortunately without any functional or sensory deficits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authors present a case of a distal phalanx fracture secondary to a nail gun injury. The diagnosis, evaluation and emergency departmetn treatment are reviewed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Neurosurg Case Lessons
December 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.
Background: Low-velocity penetrating brain injury (PBI) is an uncommon variant of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Patients affected by PBI can present with highly variable injury patterns, which, along with guideline-directed TBI care, may require the employment of unique operative management strategies. There are no strict guidelines for the management of low-velocity penetrating injuries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNMC Case Rep J
October 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan.
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