Arch Craniofac Surg.  2015 Dec;16(3):147-150. 10.7181/acfs.2015.16.3.147.

Unusual Bilateral Impalement Injury with Rusted Iron Bars on Face and Neck

• Suh HS
• Pak JH
• Hong SE
• Kang SR

• KMID: 2132608
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2015.16.3.147

Abstract

Impalement injury is the subset of penetrating trauma, defined as fixed, elongated objects penetrate and remain in the human body cavity or region by relatively low velocity. We report an unusual case of facial and neck impalement where two dirty rusted iron bars penetrated forehead bilaterally and exited neck and ear respectively without causing major organ injuries. After thorough radiologic and physical evaluation, the patient got medical and surgical treatment. The patient was discharged without complication after four day of delayed wound closure. There have been no complications and sequelaes related with trauma, wound infection and scar contracture at 3-year follow-up. According to affected organs and pattern of impalement, individualized and multidisciplinary surgical approach should be considered. Following these guidelines as in this case, it was possible to achieve excellent clinical outcome in impalement injury.

Keyword

Wound; Penetrating; Foreign bodies

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Contracture
Ear
Follow-Up Studies
Forehead
Foreign Bodies
Human Body
Humans
Iron*
Neck*
Wound Infection
Wounds and Injuries
Iron