An unexploded rocket-propelled grenade in the thigh

We present a case of an allied soldier who was accidentally shot from a very close range on his right thigh by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). He may be considered lucky as he was closer than 3 m to RPG-7 and the warhead did not explode, which would otherwise have threatened his life. The patient...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology 2008-04, Vol.18 (3), p.233-236
Main Authors: Sehirlioglu, Ali, Komurcu, Mahmut, Ozturk, Cagatay, Oguz, Erbil, Atesalp, A. Sabri, Altinmakas, Mehmet
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Armor
Case Report
Firearm accidents & safety
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Surgical Orthopedics
Traumatic Surgery
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Summary:We present a case of an allied soldier who was accidentally shot from a very close range on his right thigh by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). He may be considered lucky as he was closer than 3 m to RPG-7 and the warhead did not explode, which would otherwise have threatened his life. The patient was operated upon soon after; the grenade was carefully removed from the muscle mass manually and handed over to the bomb squad team member for disposal in a safe place. Military surgeons face many cases of firearm and blast wounded patients in the emergency unit, both in war and in peace conditions. An unusual way of injury with unclear history and unexplained findings must raise the suspicion of a military surgeon. Ignoring the details that signal the clues of an unexploded grenade may risk the medical team. A thorough history and careful physical examination often reveals the diagnosis. Military surgeons equipped with these information would be able to treat unusually injured cases, also taking care of themselves and their team.
ISSN:1633-8065
1432-1068
DOI:10.1007/s00590-007-0292-3