A case of emergency reconstructive surgery following facial destructive gunshot wounds: clinical and medico‐legal assessments
Dublin Core
Title
A case of emergency reconstructive surgery following facial destructive gunshot wounds: clinical and medico‐legal assessments
Subject
- Complexity and implications of facial gunshot wounds:
Description
Background Facial gunshot wounds present a complex challenge to both medical professionals and victims
with significant physical, psychological, and economic implications for those who suffer these types of injuries. Recon-
structive surgery offers satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes, improving a patient’s quality of life. In these
cases, the surgical procedure may encompass additional phases beyond those initially identified based on the type
of wound and the extent of tissue destruction. As a result, each case necessitates thorough evaluation to determine
an appropriate strategy. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the outcomes achieved in terms of both aesthetics
and functionality in this domain have the potential to be excellent.
Case presentation A 66-year-old man attempted suicide with a shotgun, causing severe facial injuries and frac-
tures. He had a history of depression and was taken to the emergency department promptly. CT scans revealed brain
and facial bone injuries, and he underwent surgery to control bleeding and tracheostomy. Postoperative recovery
was successful. The patient’s condition stabilized, and he was discharged after 10 days. Follow-up visits showed
gradual healing. Despite an offer for further facial reconstruction, he declined, satisfied with the achieved results.
Conclusions The present case report is intended to support the argument that effective facial reconstruction
should be considered in the medico-legal assessment. It could be beneficial to introduce a new classification system
and personalized evaluation methods with careful consideration given to treatment costs (which can be very high)
and expected results. Since reconstructive surgery modifies damage and impacts the long-term costs of permanent
impairments, its inclusion in the decision-making process would promote improved personalized care.
with significant physical, psychological, and economic implications for those who suffer these types of injuries. Recon-
structive surgery offers satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes, improving a patient’s quality of life. In these
cases, the surgical procedure may encompass additional phases beyond those initially identified based on the type
of wound and the extent of tissue destruction. As a result, each case necessitates thorough evaluation to determine
an appropriate strategy. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the outcomes achieved in terms of both aesthetics
and functionality in this domain have the potential to be excellent.
Case presentation A 66-year-old man attempted suicide with a shotgun, causing severe facial injuries and frac-
tures. He had a history of depression and was taken to the emergency department promptly. CT scans revealed brain
and facial bone injuries, and he underwent surgery to control bleeding and tracheostomy. Postoperative recovery
was successful. The patient’s condition stabilized, and he was discharged after 10 days. Follow-up visits showed
gradual healing. Despite an offer for further facial reconstruction, he declined, satisfied with the achieved results.
Conclusions The present case report is intended to support the argument that effective facial reconstruction
should be considered in the medico-legal assessment. It could be beneficial to introduce a new classification system
and personalized evaluation methods with careful consideration given to treatment costs (which can be very high)
and expected results. Since reconstructive surgery modifies damage and impacts the long-term costs of permanent
impairments, its inclusion in the decision-making process would promote improved personalized care.
Creator
Luca Tomassini1* , Giuliano Ascani2 , Paolo Mancini2
, Claudio Cacaci3 and Roberto Scendoni3
, Claudio Cacaci3 and Roberto Scendoni3
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-023-00572-3
Date
2023
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Luca Tomassini1* , Giuliano Ascani2 , Paolo Mancini2
, Claudio Cacaci3 and Roberto Scendoni3, “A case of emergency reconstructive surgery following facial destructive gunshot wounds: clinical and medico‐legal assessments,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12243.