GUNSHOT WOUNDS OF THE FACE IN ATTEMPTED-SUICIDE PATIENTS

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the f unctional and cosmetic results of the treatment of gunshot wounds asso ciated with attempted suicide that resulted in facial injury. Patients and Methods: The records of 12 patients with facial injury resulting from gunshot wounds with a suicidal origin, who were hospitalized and treated at Ege University Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstr uctive Surgery, were reviewed. Results: Ail injuries were limited to t he head and neck region; in only one patient did intracranial penetrat ion occur. Mandibular fractures were detected in all cases. Fractures of the maxilla were present in 11 patients. Eight patients suffered fr om zygomatic fractures. Perforating ocular trauma was present in two c ases. Soft tissue repair was performed by primary closure, local flaps , or skin grafts, and rigid fixation was used for fractures. Procedure s such as distant flaps or bone grafting were left for delayed reconst ruction. Conclusion: Only 3 of 12 patients returned for follow-up and reconstruction. It was therefore concluded that relatives of these pat ients believe that the repair of such deformities, even if it is a fun ctional deformity, is not necessary. Thus, in such cases, one should d o as much reconstruction as possible at the primary surgical intervent ion.