Resumo

RESENDE, Rodrigo; VARELLA, Rosângela; SANTORO, Flávia  e  MEIRELLES, Mauricio. Mandible fracture caused by non-lethal projectile: Case report. Rev. cir. traumatol. buco-maxilo-fac. [online]. 2013, vol.13, n.2, pp. 31-36. ISSN 1808-5210.

Firearms are widely used for the practice of homicides, suicides and injuries. Used by police forces around the world, causing lesions characterized by extensive tissue destruction, whose treatment is complex and often requires, large reconstructions. In an attempt to control situations of social unrest, demonstrations, riots or vandalism without, however, kill or seriously injure the participants, the police have been using non-lethal weapons ammunition. While not lethal, if the ammunition reaches delicate parts of the body can cause serious damage or even lead to death of the victim. The aim of this study was to report a case of a patient treated at the emergency Service of the Salgado Filho Municipal Hospital / RJ-Brazil, victim of mandible fracture as a result of an assault by non-lethal projectile, as well as discuss the ability of morbidity this ammunition that, while considered non-lethal, if used incorrectly, can lead to death.

Palavras-chave : Projectile rubber; non-lethal ammunition; jaw fracture.