Bean bag rounds are reported to be less than lethal. But during protests in Austin where bean bags and rubber bullets were used, 19 patients were treated at the nearest level 1 trauma center. Eight were admitted, seven underwent operative intervention for these injuries, (1/3)

four patients retained bean bang components, four had intracranial hemorrhages. One patient presented with a depressed parietal skull fracture with associated subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages, leading to a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. (2/3)

This report reflects the experience at one center but "these findings highlight the fact that beanbag munitions can cause serious harm and are not appropriate for use in crowd control." See the full letter and findings from #DellMed faculty in @NEJM: https://bit.ly/3fX5Pt7  (3/3)

Injured protesters were treated by surgeons and clinical staff at @AscensionSeton and #DellSeton, the only adult Level 1 trauma center in Central Texas, located just a few blocks from where the protests happened.