Combat gunshot skull and brain injuries

Gizatullin Sh.Kh.; Stanishevsky A.V.; Svistov D.V.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/neiro202185051124

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OBJECTIVE

To analyze treatment strategy and features of surgical interventions for combat gunshot head injuries considering literature data for the period from 2014 to 2020.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed the PubMed and eLibrary databases using the following keywords: head gunshot wound, traumatic brain injury, head trauma, combat trauma, wartime injury. We selected the reviews, original articles and case reports devoted to head gunshot wound management for the period 2014—2020. Manuscripts in Russian, Ukrainian and English with available abstract and/or full-text article were reviewed. Data on the incidence and structure of craniocerebral injuries, mortality and treatment strategy were analyzed.

RESULTS

We found 24 publications matching searching criteria. The majority of manuscripts were devoted to craniocerebral wounds received by combatants and civilians during the hostilities in the south-east of Ukraine (7 manuscripts), in Iraq and Afghanistan (4 manuscripts), as well as in the Syrian Arab Republic (12 manuscripts). Craniocerebral wounds occupy a leading position in overall structure of gunshot wounds and result the highest mortality compared to other wounds. There is a tendency towards the prevalence of bullet wounds over splinter wounds.

CONCLUSION

Modern wars and armed conflicts are characterized by changes in the structure of gunshot wounds. Craniocerebral injuries are ones of the most severe and characterized by high mortality. Data on their incidence and structure of gunshot craniocerebral wounds are advisable to be used in planning and organizing care for the wounded, as well as for development of preventive measures.

Keywords:

combat injuries

gunshot head wounds

craniocerebral wounds

traumatic brain injury

Authors:

Gizatullin Sh.Kh.

Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital

SPIN RSCI: 2722-3355
Scopus AuthorID: 57215609302
ORCID: 0000-0002-2953-9902

Stanishevsky A.V.

Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital

SPIN RSCI: 3423-8297
Scopus AuthorID: 57195947016
ORCID: 0000-0002-2615-269X

Svistov D.V.

Kirov Military Medical Academy

SPIN RSCI: 3184-5590
Scopus AuthorID: 6602724544
ORCID: 0000-0002-3922-9887

Received:

22.10.2020

Accepted:

05.08.2021

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