Gunshot Wound Depth Classification of Ordog et al

Ordog et al classified the depth of gunshot wounds. The authors are from the King/Drew-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Parameters:

(1) injury

(2) depth of injury

Injury	Type
none (pseudoinjury, with possible injury negative on closer exam)	0
blunt injury (impact but nonpenetrating)	I
graze injury (abrasion)	II
blast effect from firing at very close range, without penetration	III
blast effect with missile penetration	IV
penetrating	V
perforating (through and through)	VI
penetrating with missile embolization	VII

Depth of Injury (for Types IV, V, VI, VII)	Subtype
laceration through the dermis	a
subcutaneous	b
all deep structures	c
body cavity violated	d
more than 1 body region	e

where:

• A body cavity has to be violated to reach most vital organs.

• I can perceive certain problems in assigning subtypes c and d.

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