Citation

Molina GA, Aguayo WG, Cevallos JM, Gálvez PF, Calispa JF, Arroyo KA, Guzmán LJ, Cobo MM, Gutierrez BM, Toapanta RT, Briceño MM. Int. J. Surg. Case Rep. 2019; 59: 201-204.

Affiliation

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador PUCE, Quito, Ecuador. Electronic address: mmbkirby@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.05.034

PMID

31176914

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gunshot wounds in pregnant women, although rare, represent an important cause of fetal and maternal mortality. Understanding the mechanism of injury is essential to identify the possible injuries and to adequately manage the complexity of these emergency scenarios. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 27-year-old woman and her 37 week fetus who were the victims of a gunshot wound. The trajectory of the bullet injured not only the mother but also the developing fetus. An emergency c-section was performed and the bullet was removed from the infant's abdomen. The two patients fully recovered and on follow up controls both patients are doing well.

CONCLUSIONS: Trauma events, and particularly gunshot wounds in pregnant women requires promptly and adequate intervention. Coordinated efforts from multidisciplinary clinical teams are needed as well as the appropriate training in maternal and infant resuscitative measures and surgical techniques.

Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Case report; Fetal trauma; Gunshot wound; Maternal trauma