- Injuries from blank cartridge shots in suicide attempts within the South Korean military: a case series of five patients
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Jeong Il Joo, Changsin Lee, Kyungwon Lee
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J Trauma Inj. 2024;37(4):262-267. Published online December 4, 2024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2024.0037
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 Abstract
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- Purpose
Blank cartridges are designed to produce the sound and gas flare of a gunshot without firing a bullet. However, blank cartridge shots (BCS) can still cause injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Within the South Korean military, most BCS-related injuries have occurred during suicide attempts. This study documents a case series of patients who sustained injuries from BCS during such attempts.
Methods
We examined the medical records of Korean soldiers at a military trauma center between April 2022 and April 2024 who had sustained injuries from BCS during suicide attempts. The analyzed data included general characteristics, injury site, surgical and psychiatric interventions, and length of hospitalization.
Results
The case series included five patients between 19 and 20 years old (mean age, 19.6±0.55 years). Four of these patients sustained self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the submandibular area, while one targeted the right temporal area. Although initial vital signs and laboratory findings were unremarkable, computed tomography scans revealed injuries from projectile gas and gunpowder, including burns, subcutaneous emphysema, and major structural damage. Cases 1 and 2 required emergency surgery for foreign body removal and debridement. The average length of hospitalization was 35.2±12.11 days. Patients were first admitted to the trauma surgery department for BCS injury management, and then transferred to the psychiatry department for emotional support. The average stay was 15.6±15.87 days in trauma surgery and 19.6±14.99 days in psychiatry.
Conclusions
This study highlights the consequences of BCS from suicide attempts in the South Korean military and provides valuable insights for medical personnel who may encounter patients with BCS injuries.
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Summary
- One year of treating patients with open fractures of the lower extremity in a new military trauma center in Korea: a case series
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Ji Wool Ko, Giho Moon, Jin Geun Kwon, Kyoung Eun Kim, Hankaram Jeon, Kyungwon Lee
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J Trauma Inj. 2023;36(4):376-384. Published online December 19, 2023
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2023.0041
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Abstract
PDF
- Purpose
The Armed Forces Trauma Center of Korea was established in April 2022. This study was conducted to report our 1-year experience of treating soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity.
Methods
In this case series, we reviewed the medical records of 51 Korean soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity between April 2022 and March 2023 at a trauma center. We analyzed patients with Gustilo-Anderson type II and III fractures and reported the duration of transportation, injury mechanisms, injured sites, and associated injuries. We also presented laboratory findings, surgery types, intensive care unit stays, hospital stays, rehabilitation results, and reasons for psychiatric consultation. Additionally, we described patients’ mode of transport.
Results
This study enrolled nine male patients who were between 21 and 26 years old. Six patients had type II and three had type III fractures. Transport from the accident scene to the emergency room ranged from 75 to 455 minutes, and from the emergency room to the operating room ranged from 35 to 200 minutes. Injury mechanisms included gunshot wounds, landmine explosions, grenade explosions, and entrapment by ship mooring ropes. One case had serious associated injuries (inhalation burn, open facial bone fractures, and hemopneumothorax). No cases with serious blood loss or coagulopathies were found, but most cases had a significant elevation of creatinine kinase. Two patients underwent vascular reconstruction, whereas four patients received flap surgery. After rehabilitation, six patients could walk, one patient could move their joints actively, and two patients performed active assistive movement. Eight patients were referred to the psychiatry department due to suicidal attempts and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Conclusions
This study provides insights into how to improve treatment for patients with military trauma, as well as medical services such as the transport system, by revising treatment protocols and systematizing treatment.
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Summary
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by  - Injuries from blank cartridge shots in suicide attempts within the South Korean military: a case series of five patients
Jeong Il Joo, Changsin Lee, Kyungwon Lee
Journal of Trauma and Injury.2024; 37(4): 262. CrossRef
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