Asian Spine J.  2013 Mar;7(1):44-49. 10.4184/asj.2013.7.1.44.

Operative Management of a Sacral Gunshot Injury via Minimally Invasive Techniques and Instrumentation

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
  • 2Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China. dsamartzis@msn.com

Abstract

Gunshot wounds to the spine account for 13% to 17% of all gunshot injuries and occur predominantly in the thoracic region. Minimally invasive spine surgery procedures implementing serial muscle dilation and the use of a tubular retracting system with a working channel minimize soft tissue trauma, facilitate less bony and soft tissue resection, decrease blood loss, minimize scarring and improve cosmesis, decrease hospitalization, and reduce postoperative pain and narcotic usage in comparison to more open, traditional approaches. Although minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and instrumentation have gained considerable attention, their application in the management of gunshot injuries to the sacrum has not been reported. The following is a brief case report of a 21-year-old male who sustained a gunshot injury to the sacrum who was managed operatively via minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and instrumentation.

Keyword

Gunshot wound; Trauma; Sacral; Spine; Minimally invasive; Surgery

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Hospitalization
Humans
Male
Muscles
Pain, Postoperative
Sacrum
Spine
Wounds, Gunshot
Full Text Links
  • ASJ
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr