A Study Of The Pattern Of Gunshot Wound Injuries As Seen At Kenyatta National Hospital (July 1994-June 1999)

Abstract

This was a five year retrospective study on the pattern of GunshotWound (GSW) injuries between July 1994 and June 1999. A total of 225 patients files were retrieved from the Department of Medical Records of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and information relevant to the study was extracted using a proforma sheet and then analysed. The youngest patient was 6 years old while the oldest was 69 years old, with a mean age of 29.5 years. 88 . 5 %- of the patients were below 40 years with 50.7% between 21 and 30 years. Two hundred and nine (92.9%) were males and 16 (71%) females thus giving a male female ratio of 13:1. Violent crime is the most common cause of gunshot injuries in our set up. Two hundred and forty eight injuries were recorded , with the extremities being the region mostly affected accounting Ear 52%- of the injuries sustained followed by the thoracic respective All the patients had through surgical debridiment of the GSW with specific management being determined by area of injury and the injury sustained. Sixteen patients (7.1%) had major morbidity and 5 patients 2.2%) died