engleski

Airgun pellet – not so harmless object

Introduction. Air guns are nonpowder firearms that use air or another type of compressed gas to propel a projectile such as a pellet. At first glance, such weapons may appear relatively harmless, but it may produce potentially lethal pathologies. The spectrum of possible air gun injuries ranges from local skin injury, which is the most common, to severe chest, abdomen, cerebral, and vascular injury. In most cases, injuries are accidental. However, intentional firing in suicidal purpose is also possible, although extremely rare. Case. The case of young woman who commited suicide by firing the airgun pellet to her chest is presented. The pellet passed through the intercostal space, penetrated the pericardial sac and heart, leading to fatal bleeding. Emergency medical care was provided which included the thoracotomy, but the patient died on the table. Conclusion. This case presents an uncommon mechanism of suicide with an instrument commonly possessed by adolescents and, regretfully, often considered as a toy. Fatal outcome of the patient demonstrates the potential lethality of air rifles. Also, it serves to stress the importance of measures pointed to limit the accessibility and monitor the use of the airguns, as well as to raise the awareness about the fact that these machines are not innocent.

airgun; suicide

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