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Abstract
High energy gunshot wounds are considered contaminated. Wound exploration and aggressive
debridement are mandatory, and retained bullets should be removed during this procedure.
The majority of civilian gunshot wounds are of low energy, however, and the management
of retained bullets in these injuries depends primarily on the location of the missile.
In general, bullets retained in soft tissue or muscle can be observed, and if problematic,
removed electively when the acute soft tissue swelling has subsided. Bullets that
are retained in bone may be followed closely provided that joint violation has been
excluded. The current authors recommend prophylactic removal, arthroscopically if
possible, of all intra-articular and intra-bursal bullets in order to prevent the
devastating complications of lead arthropathy and, less commonly, plumbism. If significant
lead deposition already exists within the joint, thorough synovectomy and debridement
are necessary. Any joint which has been penetrated by a bullet should be considered
for exploration, regardless of the bullet's final position, in order to retrieve bone,
cartilage, skin, clothing, and other debris which may remain in the joint. Removal
of bullets in patients exhibiting acute lead intoxication should await reduction of
serum lead levels. Chelation therapy must continue postoperatively in these patients
until total body lead stores have been depleted.
Keywords
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© 1997 Published by Elsevier Inc.
