Experimental study on firearm wound in maxillofacial region.

OBJECTIVE: To make clear the range of firearm wound in the maxillofacial region, the optical repair time and the characteristics of accompanied indirect brain damage, and to offer the principle of emergency treatment and the early repair of war wound. METHODS: With the aid of the standard Sweden model, 200 dogs were used in the experiment. Varies tissues around the primary canal were harvested chronologically, in different zone and different tissue, for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The necrotic range of various tissues in the maxillofacial region was less than that in the extremities. In the maxillofacial region, there was a significant temporary cavity following the passing of bullet, which caused indirect brain damages. CONCLUSION: These findings are helpful to the treatment of war wound in the maxillofacial region. Early bone transplantation using microvascular anastomosis in the treatment of gunshot wound in the maxillofacial region is recommendable.

Hyperamylasemia: a result of intracranial bleeding.

The unexpected finding of hyperamylasemia in a patient with isolated head injury prompted a study of amylase levels in patients with various degrees of cranial trauma. None of seven patients with isolated maxillofacial trauma had hyperamylasemia. This group was studied to discount injury to salivary glands as a source of elevated amylase levels. Only one of ten patients with simple cranial injury without computerized tomographic (CT) scan evidence of intracranial bleeding had hyperamylasemia. Six of ten patients with CT scans positive for intracranial bleeding had hyperamylasemia. Isoamylase analysis showed that the source of the hyperamylasemia was varied. These results suggest a central neural control of serum amylase levels. The reliability of the serum amylase level as an indication of pancreatic trauma in a patient with concomitant head injury is questioned.