Firearm wounds of the limbs

In the article is analyzed treatment of firearm wounds of limbs in 161 victim. After antishock measures and primary surgical treatment with observation of its all elements, including application of delayed and tension sutures (31), the primary healing of wounds has been observed with 71, secondary--with 61, suppuration--with 23 and osteomyelitis--with 17 persons. 5 patients have been subjected to amputation of lower limb. 125 (77.5%) patients recovered and 33 (20.5%) became invalids. 3 patients have died. Successful treatment of these victims depends not only upon specialized but upon timely aid at pre-hospital stage as well. Sound primary surgical treatment of wounds is decisive measure in the prophylaxis of wound infection, the method of choice to immobilize a limb after operation is a liningless plaster bandage or skeletal traction in combination with plaster immobilization.