Operative Management of a Sacral Gunshot Injury via Minimally Invasive Techniques and Instrumentation

Abstract

Gunshot wounds to the spine account for 13% to 17% of all gunshot injuries and occur predominantly in the thoracic region. Minimally invasive spine surgery procedures implementing serial muscle dilation and the use of a tubular retracting system with a working channel minimize soft tissue trauma, facilitate less bony and soft tissue resection, decrease blood loss, minimize scarring and improve cosmesis, decrease hospitalization, and reduce postoperative pain and narcotic usage in comparison to more open, traditional approaches. Although minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and instrumentation have gained considerable attention, their application in the management of gunshot injuries to the sacrum has not been reported. The following is a brief case report of a 21-year-old male who sustained a gunshot injury to the sacrum who was managed operatively via minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and instrumentation.