[Penetrating injury].

Abstract

Penetrating trauma is an uncommon injury in downhill skiing. We have observed only two cases at our clinic. 15 years ago a skier collided with a trail marker. The post entered the patient's right inguinal region and left the pelvis at buttock. The patient removed the foreign body on the slope without assistance. Remarkably, the only vital structure involved was a small puncture of the duodenum. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course with a transient impotence lasting six months. At a follow up 15 years later the patient complained of sequelae. This season 1992/93 an English woman collided while skiing with a tree. She sustained a penetrating injury of her left thigh. We performed a careful extraction of the foreign body with a debridement and drainage of the wound. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course.