Journal of Chest Surgery

The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (대한심장혈관흉부외과학회)
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Clinical Experience of Surgical Treatment for Penetrating Pulmonary Gunshot Wound of a Civilian in Korea: A Case Report

  • Seonyeong Heo (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Jung Hee Kim (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Younggi Jung (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Kwanghyoung Lee (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Sungho Lee (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Eunjue Yi (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital)
  • Received : 2023.05.15
  • Accepted : 2023.07.17
  • Published : 2024.01.05
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Abstract

Gunshot-induced chest trauma is exceedingly rare among civilians in South Korea due to strong firearm control policies. In contrast to military reports emphasizing the use of emergent open thoracotomy to increase chances of survival, most penetrating non-cardiac injuries in civilian settings are managed conservatively, such as through chest tube insertion, as they typically result from lower-energy bullets. However, early surgical intervention for penetrating gunshot wounds can help reduce delayed fatalities caused by septic complications from pneumonia or empyema. The advent of minimally invasive thoracic surgery has provided cost-effective and relatively non-invasive treatment options, aided in the prevention of potential complications from undrained hematomas, and facilitated functional recovery and reintegration into society. We successfully treated a patient with a penetrating gunshot wound to the chest using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

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References

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