Utility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
(VATS) and surgical magnets for management
of the patient with gunshot injury to the heart
and pericardium in Russia-Ukraine war
Dublin Core
Title
Utility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
(VATS) and surgical magnets for management
of the patient with gunshot injury to the heart
and pericardium in Russia-Ukraine war
(VATS) and surgical magnets for management
of the patient with gunshot injury to the heart
and pericardium in Russia-Ukraine war
Subject
Gunshot injury to chest, Gunshot injury to heart, Gunshot injury to pericardium, Russo-Ukrainian war,
Gunshot injury and VATS
Gunshot injury and VATS
Description
Abstract
Background Russia-Ukraine war is associated with various kinds of ballistic injuries because of the application of all
kinds of weapons. Gunshot injury to the heart and pericardium is rare and associated with high mortality. The video-
assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) is rarely performed in combat settings. The aim of the report was to investigate
and demonstrate the approach to manage severe gunshot injury to the heart with damage to the pericardium by
using VATS and surgical magnets in a combat patient injured in the battlefield area of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Case presentation A 43-year-old male patient received a gunshot injury to the chest in a battlefield area in East
Ukraine. 60 min after the injury, the patient was evacuated to the forward surgical team. The patient was evaluated
at the Role 3 hospital in Kharkiv. VATS pericardial window (fenestration) was performed, followed by removal of
the bullet from the pericardial sac as well as chest re-draining by Bulau under general anesthesia. The patient was
discharged on the 12th day after the injury.
Conclusions The ballistic injuries in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war are severe and associated with rare wounds
to the pericardium. The CT scan and X-ray under a C-arc machine are useful diagnostic tools for the identification of
bullets or other projectiles. VATS and surgical magnets might be considered for selected patients for the management
of gunshot injuries to the heart in combat patients.
Keywords Gunshot injury to chest, Gunshot injury to heart, Gunshot injury to pericardium, Russo-Ukrainian war,
Gunshot injury and VATS
Background Russia-Ukraine war is associated with various kinds of ballistic injuries because of the application of all
kinds of weapons. Gunshot injury to the heart and pericardium is rare and associated with high mortality. The video-
assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) is rarely performed in combat settings. The aim of the report was to investigate
and demonstrate the approach to manage severe gunshot injury to the heart with damage to the pericardium by
using VATS and surgical magnets in a combat patient injured in the battlefield area of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Case presentation A 43-year-old male patient received a gunshot injury to the chest in a battlefield area in East
Ukraine. 60 min after the injury, the patient was evacuated to the forward surgical team. The patient was evaluated
at the Role 3 hospital in Kharkiv. VATS pericardial window (fenestration) was performed, followed by removal of
the bullet from the pericardial sac as well as chest re-draining by Bulau under general anesthesia. The patient was
discharged on the 12th day after the injury.
Conclusions The ballistic injuries in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war are severe and associated with rare wounds
to the pericardium. The CT scan and X-ray under a C-arc machine are useful diagnostic tools for the identification of
bullets or other projectiles. VATS and surgical magnets might be considered for selected patients for the management
of gunshot injuries to the heart in combat patients.
Keywords Gunshot injury to chest, Gunshot injury to heart, Gunshot injury to pericardium, Russo-Ukrainian war,
Gunshot injury and VATS
Creator
Igor Lurin1,2 , Eduard Khoroshun3,4, Vitalii Makarov3,4, Volodymyr Nehoduiko3,4, Yurii Bunin3
, Sumeet Kumar Behera6
,
Maksym Gorobeiko1,5 and Andrii Dinets1,5,6*
, Sumeet Kumar Behera6
,
Maksym Gorobeiko1,5 and Andrii Dinets1,5,6*
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-01013-z
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Igor Lurin1,2 , Eduard Khoroshun3,4, Vitalii Makarov3,4, Volodymyr Nehoduiko3,4, Yurii Bunin3
, Sumeet Kumar Behera6
,
Maksym Gorobeiko1,5 and Andrii Dinets1,5,6*, “Utility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
(VATS) and surgical magnets for management
of the patient with gunshot injury to the heart
and pericardium in Russia-Ukraine war,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12852.
(VATS) and surgical magnets for management
of the patient with gunshot injury to the heart
and pericardium in Russia-Ukraine war,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12852.