Penetrating trauma to the facial skeleton by pickaxe – case report

Abstract

Number of deaths related with injuries suffered as a result of experienced traumas is increasing. Penetrating traumas of the facial skeleton occur relatively rarely and much more often concern rather children than adults. Epidemiology relating this kind of trauma differs depending on the region of the world. In Poland, gunshot injuries as well as traumas caused by explosions of firecrackers or fireworks amount only to a slight percentage among all facial skeleton traumas, and the most common reason for penetrating traumas lies in accidents or assault with the use of sharp, narrow and long objects that easily enter bones of the facial skeleton. The present study reported the case of 50-year-old man who suffered from trauma of the facial skeleton, which resulted from foreign body (pickaxe) penetration into the subtemporal area, zygomatic arch and the right orbital cavity. The surgical treatment method and final outcome was presented and discussed.

Anesthetic Management of a Rare Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury Caused by a Pickaxe: A Case Report

“…Because of its location, penetrating TBI can cause central nervous system damage and life-threatening conditions. In addition, these lesions can damage large cerebral vessels, the brainstem and cause obstruction of the upper respiratory tract [15] [28]. Our patient with a pickaxe of about 7 kg stuck in his brain had a good general condition and was fully conscious.…”

“…Penetrating TBI is a major public health problem [13]. According to global statistics, the annual incidence of TBI is 700 per 100,000 [14] and mortality rate due to TBI is about 17 per 100,000 [15] [16]. In the United States TBI affects about 1.7 million people per year and accounts for 52,000 deaths annually [7].…”

“…This is two-fold higher than that observed in the Netherlands. Sadly, in Hungary and France, more people have a fatal outcome from TBI than in Poland [15]. In a previous report at the General Hospital of Douala in Cameroon, the in-hospital prevalence of TBI was 8.7% [6].…”

“…Survivors of TBI often require long-term management and rehabilitation [15]. Open Journal of Anesthesiology…”