Clinical features of a gunshot injury to military personnel protected by body armor, defining tactics of medical aid delivery

The widespread use of body armor to protect the chest and abdomen has led to the emergence of a new type of injury - a gunshot injury through the body armor. According to the formation mechanism, three main types of combat pathology can be distinguished. Wound, when the bulletproof vest is not penetrated, is characterized not only by external manifestations in the form of bruises of the skin and subcutaneous tissue but also by pronounced closed injuries of the internal organs of the chest and abdomen in the projection of a wound projectile. Non - penetration of the «soft» armored panel can also lead to penetrating injuries of the chest and abdomen. Through penetration of bulletproof vest, the severity and volume of gunshot damage can significantly increase due to deformation and dismantling of the bullet, the introduction of fragments of deformable shells, and damaged armor panel into the wound channel when a bullet hits a bulletproof vest at an angle of 20 degrees. And more, its elements ricochet, capable of inflicting severe wounds on both the soldier himself and those around him. These features must be taken into account when assisting the wounded at the stages of medical evacuation. The success of treatment depends on a detailed history of the wound, the timing of medical care, proper sorting, and a thorough clinical examination, including identifying the nature and extent of closed injuries of the chest and abdomen’s internal organs.

a gunshot injury through a bulletproof vest, a closed local contusion injury, a soldier, a bulletproof vest, a gunshot wound, medical care