Thoracoabdominal shotgun wounds: an evaluation of factors associated with the need for surgical intervention

Background: Shotgun wound classification systems attempt to predict the need for surgical intervention based on the size of wounds, pellet spread, or distance from the weapon rather than clinical findings. Methods: A 5-year retrospective review of patients sustaining a thoracoabdominal shotgun wound was performed. Factors believed to be associated with the need for surgical intervention were examined using the Fisher exact test or an independent sample t test. Results: Sixty-four patients suffered a thoracoabdominal shotgun wound. Fifty-nine percent required surgical intervention. Factors significantly associated with the need for surgical intervention were a low revised trauma score and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P < .05). Distance from attacker, wound patterns, pellet size, and pellet spread were not found to have an association. Conclusions: Clinical indicators of hemorrhage and shock are associated with the need for surgical intervention, whereas pellet spread, pellet size, and distance from the attacker are not. This is a significant departure from traditional classification systems.