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Injury Extra 45 (2014) 9–11

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Injury Extra

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Case report

Unusual ignition of a bullet causing hand injury: Case report

a, b b b

Abdul Kerim Yapici *, Salim Kemal Tuncer , Umit Kaldirim , Ibrahim Arziman , c

Mehmet Toygar

a

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey

b

Department of Emergency Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey

c

Department of Forensic Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey

A R T I C L E I N F O

Article history:

Accepted 10 November 2013

1. Introduction 2. Case report

The incidence of firearm related non-fatal and fatal accidents A 35 year-old man was admitted to emergency department

has increased worldwide [1–5]. Most of firearm accidents result with a complaint of injury related to the third web space, third

often due to human errors included extreme carelessness while finger pulp and thenar region of right hand. On detailed

handling, carrying or storing a loaded firearm [3]. Most of the questioning, he reported that he was cleaning a machine gun

unintentional or intentional nonfatal gunshot injuries involve an (type MG-3) after target practice in a shooting range. He did not

extremity [6]. Most gunshot injuries to the hand are result of low- check visually and physically whether there were any bullets or

velocity handguns [7]. While low-energy firearm injuries are not in the chamber. The remaining bullet in the chamber was

caused by small calibre hand guns, BB (ball bearing) guns and zip ignited during the cleaning process when he pushed the rod

guns, high energy firearm injuries are caused by high calibre through the barrel (Fig. 1).

handguns or assault rifles [8]. In the physical examination, on his right hand, there were

Gun-cleaning accidents occur rarely. All firearms are being 1.5 cm  1.5 cm full thickness skin defect on pulp of the third

cleaned periodically and gun-cleaning mistakes can cause finger accompanying bone exposition on ground, 3 cm  2.5 cm

accidents and even fatalities [5]. The most dangerous type of full thickness skin defect on thenar region, 1 cm depth laceration

gun-cleaning mistake is forgetting to check whether it is loaded on third web space from volar to dorsal and multiple superficial

or not, before attempting to clean the gun [9]. The MG3 is a lacerations on volar region (Fig. 2). All digits were well perfused.

German general-purpose machine gun and is a short recoil- Neurological findings and motor functions of all digits were within

operated, belt-fed, heavy-barreled, air-cooled machine gun normal range. There was no fracture on X-ray. All of the wounds

suitable for bursts and sustained fire. The weapon and its were washed with antimicrobial solution [11]. Lacerations

derivatives have also been acquired by the armed forces of over relevant to the third web space, hypothenar region and the other

30 countries [10]. We report a case with gunshot wound to the multiple small lacerations of the hand were sutured and the defect

hand caused by ignition of a bullet while the cleaning a MG3 of soft tissue of the thenar region was covered with full thickness

barrel with gun cleaning rod. In this study, the circumstances skin graft prepared from the severed skin of pulp (Fig. 3). Cast

accompanying these injuries, and preventive measures are immobilization was applied and intravenous prophylactic antibi-

discussed. These injuries are preventable, and therefore, some otic was administered postoperatively. All of the wounds were

basic measures may reduce the incidence of accidental injury healed on postoperative 15th day and he proceeded to physio-

during gun cleaning procedure. therapy programme after the sutures removed. Patient were seen

in outpatient clinic in every month for 12 months. To prevent

development of hypertrophic scar, pomade including silicone

1

(Dermatix Silicone Gel) was prescribed [12,13]. At the end of the

follow-up period we not encountered any hypertrophic scar

development in both primer sutured and grafted areas. Active and

passive range of motion for all fingers was fully achieved followed

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +90 312 304 5408; fax: +90 312 304 5404.

E-mail address: [email protected] (A.K. Yapici). by physiotherapy programme (Fig. 4). Patient had fully satisfied

1572-3461 ß 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2013.11.015

10 A.K. Yapici et al. / Injury Extra 45 (2014) 9–11

Fig. 3. Postoperative image of the hand.

Fig. 1. Gunshot wound to the hand caused by ignition of a bullet while pushing gun

cleaning rod during cleaning a MG3 barrel with rod.

When a weapon is fired, the firing pin strikes the centre of the

with good functionality of his dominant hand in his daily life and primer cup, compressing the primer composition between the cup

job activity. and anvil and causing the composition to explode. The vents in the

anvil allow the flame to pass through the flash hole(s) into the

3. Discussion cartridge case and thereby igniting the propellant [15]. It did not

shoot when trigger was pulled but the remaining bullet in the

All firearms, undergoing mechanical abrasion in the course of chamber was ignited when it was pushed by the rod through the

time, must be maintained periodically. Improperly maintained or barrel. After being ignited, bullet pushed the cleaning rod too fast

unmaintained firearms become increasingly less reliable [9]. and the rod caused his hand to be injured. There is no direct contact

Firearm cleaning is paramount to ensure safety, accuracy, and with bullet. To our best knowledge, there is no reported injury

longer firearm life. Guns used for hunting should be cleaned before presenting similar mechanism of ours’.

and after each season. Guns for other uses such as target shooting Gunshot injuries to the hand can be classified according to the

or defense should be cleaned routinely to ensure they are ready energy of the missile, the location of the injury, and the tissue types

when needed. The cleaning rod is used to wipe, scrub and lubricate injured [8]. These classification patterns are helpful for determin-

the bore and each function requires a special end, attached to the ing proper treatment modalities of gunshot injuries to the hand.

rod. Cleaning rod must be in appropriate length for cleaned However, each injury must be evaluated on an individual basis. As

weapon [14]. the weapon is a machine gun, it is normally more likely to cause a

Safety is an issue that should concern all firearms holders. high energy injury even resulting in death. The case presented here

Accidents occurred during regular maintenance are so-called is an exception as he is injured only by the cleaning rod but not the

‘‘Gun-cleaning accident’’. Gun-cleaning accident originated from bullet itself. But all persons who are taking care of firearms should

the personal negligence rather than a technical defect [5]. The first be aware of this problem as the different barrel angle could be fatal

rule for cleaning a firearm is to ensure that it is definitely unloaded. for the cleaning person.

It is checked that there is no ammunition in the chamber or in the

magazine. As in our case, he did not check the machine gun before

cleaning and then the remaining bullet in the chamber was ignited

when he pushed the cleaning rod through the barrel.

Fig. 2. The wounded hand on admission. Fig. 4. All the wounds were healed at follow-up.

A.K. Yapici et al. / Injury Extra 45 (2014) 9–11 11

Low-velocity gunshot wounds usually involve only the skin, measures followed explicitly and tightly, will ensure firearms

subcutaneous and/or muscle tissue, and minor cortical bone safety and reduce accidents.

fragments [7]. Although most low-velocity gunshot wounds to the

hand can be closed primarily under some conditions, this is not References

recommended in high-velocity injuries because of involving

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[9] http://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-a-Pistol-(Handgun). (accessed 04.04.2013).

procedure is rare but may be fatal. Injuries to the limbs may cause

[10] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheinmetall_MG3#External_links (accessed 05.04.

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taking nothing for granted should be provided [14]. If security