Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds to the Face: A Review of 18 Cases

This article details the cases of 18 New Mexico patients with self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the face. Amost all were young males, 14 patients were Native American, & 16 patients were intoxicated at the time of injury. The precipitating conditions were usually interpersonal conflict or acculturation difficulties. The effect of different guns is described, as well as reconstruction effects. Subsequent suicide attempts have been uncommon. (VM)