Ferite d'arma da fuoco. Nostra esperienza [Gunshot wounds. Our experience]

Abdominal gunshot wounds may result in elevated morbidity and mortality. The optimal management is still controversial. The authors report on their experience with treatment of 49 patients. In all patients the PATI score was used to identify trauma and all were treated surgically. Laparoscopy was employed only in one patient. The mortality was 2% and the morbidity 6%. The authors conclude that the PATI score correlated well with morbidity and mortality. Resuscitation with immediate surgical treatment may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates.