PRESENTATION PATTERN OF FIREARM INJURIES AT ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY UNIT IN A PUBLIC SECTOR TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL AT KARACHI.

. J Peop Univ Med Health Sci. 2025:15(2), 195-207. http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/14.04.641

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patterns of firearm injuries of oral & maxillofacial region, in terms of demography, etiology, clinical features presenting at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma (SMBBIT) Karachi. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Oral &
Maxillofacial Surgery, SMBBIT from December 2022 to July 2024. METHODOLOGY: The current study included sixty (60) patients who were identified having firearm injuries in oral & maxillofacial region. Data were collected regarding patient’s age, gender, etiology, associated hard and soft tissue injuries and analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: The mean age was 36.52±11.14 years and majority of the patients were male’s n = 56 (93.3%) as compared to female’s n = 4 (6.7%). Most of the events occurred at roadside n = 44 (73.3%) and at daytime n = 48 (80%). The most common reason for injury was robbery n = 24 (40%). Perforating injuries were commonly observed n = 52 (86.7%). The most common site of entry wound was middle & lower third of face (31.7%, n = 19). The most affected dental hard tissues between entry and exit wounds were lower anterior teeth n = 12 (20%). CONCLUSION: Scientific values from our study shows that young males and roadside incidents were prevalent. An injury entry site from left side and right sides exit were commonly observed. Future studies need to be conducted on a larger scale to find detailed dynamics about firearm trauma.