Air Guns: A Contemporary Review of Injuries at Six Pediatric Level I Trauma Centers.

Abstract Background Studies spanning the last three decades demonstrated the injury causing capability of air gun (AG) projectiles. Recent studies have suggested the impact and incidence of these injuries may be declining because of edcational efforts. We hypothesize that injuries in the pediatric population resulting from AGs remain a significant health concern. Methods A retrospective review (1/1/2007 to 12/31/2016), of AG-injured children  Results A total of 499 patients sustained injuries. Mean age 9.5 (±4.0) y; 81% of victims were male; all survived to hospital discharge. 30% (n = 151) required operative intervention. Hospital LOS was 2.3 (±2.2) d; with mean cost of $23,756 (±$34,441). Injury severity score mean of 3.7 (±4.6) on admission. Over 40% of the injuries to the head/thorax that were severe (AIS ≥ 3) required operative intervention (P  Conclusions AG injuries to the head or thorax seen at trauma centers were likely to require operative management. While no fatalities occurred, the cost was substantial. This study demonstrates pediatric injuries resulting from AG projectiles remain a significant health concern.