Provision of Surgical Care to Victims of the Use of Traumatic Weapons in the Arctic Zone of the Arkhangelsk Region

Summary. The aim of the study was to estimate the surgical care provided to the victims of traumatic weapons in the Arctic zone of the Arkhangelsk region.

Materials and methods of research. We conducted a document-based statistical study using the records from 248 case histories (statistical form # 003/u) filled in for the victims of traumatic weapons, who received medical care in medical facilities of Arkhangelsk and Severodvinsk cities, located the Arctic Zone of Russia in 2005-2022.

The research methods are analytical and mathematical-statistical. Categorical variables presented as percentages and frequencies were used for the analysis. The values of all relative quantities were calculated using the WinPepi program.

The severity of the injuries was assessed using the VPKh-P(OR) scale, developed under the supervision of Major General of the Medical Service, Professor E.K.Gumanenko (1990) at the S.M.Kirov Military Medical Academy.

The results of the study and their analysis. Every third victim of limited-damage firearms in the Arctic zone of the Arkhangelsk region required inpatient surgical care with the involvement of surgeons of various specialties. In case of multiple and combined wounds, it was necessary to involve two or more surgeons of various profiles.

In case of minor wounds from limited-damage firearms during primary surgical treatment, the severity of the wound is underestimated by surgeons and, as a result, the bullet is not initially detected and remains in the wound, which, in turn, complicates the condition of the victim and requires repeated surgical intervention.

In 39% of cases of wounds from limited-damage firearms to the head, every fifth case (21.9%) of wounds to the chest, every tenth case of wounds to the abdomen – specialized surgical care is required, the availability of which in the Arctic zone can be very problematic.