Management and pattern of pellet gun injuries in war conflicted Kashmir Valley, India

Authors

  • Tariq Ahmed Mala Department of General Surgery, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
  • Syeed Rayees Ahmad Department of General Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College and Hospital, Bemina, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
  • Shahid Amin Malla Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20191662

Keywords:

Conflict, Compressing gas, Civilians, Cartridge, Pellet gun, Pellet balls

Abstract

Abstract

Background: The pellet gun is a shot gun weapon which is used by law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order in conflict zones whenever need arises. Sometimes these minute sized pellets may lead to grave injuries to vital structures of the body which may sometimes led to permanent disability. The objective of this study was to investigations and manages these fatal injuries in war conflicted valley. Methods: The prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Government Medical College Srinagar at the time of civilian unrest in 2016 and onwards when thousands of people were injured with pellets by security agencies. Results: Maximum number (67.1%) of patients had injuries to eyes and face, among the total number of patients 69 (17.2%) of patients had abdominal injuries. CECT abdomen showed pellets in all 69 (100%) of patients, pellets in gut lumen in 48 (69.5%) of patients. In the abdominal group 40 patients underwent laparotomy which showed hemoperitoneum in 49 (71.01%), pneumoperitoneum in 6 (8.69%) of patients. Conclusion: Pellet gun weapon has become a common arsenal to suppress the unarmed civilian agitation which may lead to fatal injuries to vital structures of body, where prognosis remained poor despite of best available treatment.

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Published

2019-04-26

How to Cite

Mala, T. A., Ahmad, S. R., & Malla, S. A. (2019). Management and pattern of pellet gun injuries in war conflicted Kashmir Valley, India. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 7(5), 1703–1706. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20191662

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles