DENTAL APPROACH TO PATIENT VICTIM OF INJURY CAUSED BY FIREARM PROJECTILE - LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Firearm Projectile Injury (FPI), also known as ballistic trauma, is any physical trauma caused by a firearm considered a worldwide public health problem due to its high prevalence, great psychosocial impact and the high cost of treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the different therapeutic approaches related to gunshot wounds in the area of maxillofacial surgery and traumatology, thus contributing to the development of more effective care protocols and the formulation of more efficient public policies. For this, a literature review was carried out in the main databases: Scielo, Medline and Pubmed, in the period between 1998 and 2021, in English and Portuguese. It was observed that this type of injury was more prevalent in young males, who generally presented comminuted fractures in the mandible, with surgical treatment being the most indicated. Therefore, it is of paramount that all professionals involved in the treatment of FAP know how to treat it properly, providing better health outcomes for its victims.

Key words: Firearm Injury; Face; Treatment.