Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
J Trauma. 2000 April 1; Volume 48 (Issue 4); 735-739.; DOI:10.1097/00005373-200004000-00024
Meade P, Mirocha J
J Trauma. 2000 April 1; Volume 48 (Issue 4); 735-739.; DOI:10.1097/00005373-200004000-00024
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to describe the injuries sustained by displaced people returning home after a military conflict when landmines were not removed.
METHOD
This study describes the landmine injuries to patients at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in northern Sri Lanka over a 20-month period, from May 1, 1996, to December 31, 1997.
RESULTS
There were definite and identifiable landmine injury patterns. Patients were most often wounded in the lower extremities, had multiple wounds, and were injured together in groups. Victims were most often male, but there were unusually high numbers of women, children, and elderly injured. Mortality rates and amputation rates were high. Deaths occurred early after injury. Higher incidences of mine injuries could be associated with two important activities: returning home and agriculture.
CONCLUSIONS
Civilians returning home after armed conflicts are at risk of injury when landmines are not removed. No one is spared. This problem is preventable.
The purpose of this study was to describe the injuries sustained by displaced people returning home after a military conflict when landmines were not removed.
METHOD
This study describes the landmine injuries to patients at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in northern Sri Lanka over a 20-month period, from May 1, 1996, to December 31, 1997.
RESULTS
There were definite and identifiable landmine injury patterns. Patients were most often wounded in the lower extremities, had multiple wounds, and were injured together in groups. Victims were most often male, but there were unusually high numbers of women, children, and elderly injured. Mortality rates and amputation rates were high. Deaths occurred early after injury. Higher incidences of mine injuries could be associated with two important activities: returning home and agriculture.
CONCLUSIONS
Civilians returning home after armed conflicts are at risk of injury when landmines are not removed. No one is spared. This problem is preventable.
Journal Article > Meta-AnalysisAbstract
J Trauma. 2011 September 1; Volume 71 (Issue 3); DOI:10.1097/TA.0b013e3181febc8f
van Kooij E, Schrever I, Kizito W, Hennaux M, Mugenya G, et al.
J Trauma. 2011 September 1; Volume 71 (Issue 3); DOI:10.1097/TA.0b013e3181febc8f
BACKGROUND
On January 31, 2009, a fuel tanker exploded in rural Kenya, killing and injuring hundreds of people. This article describes the care of >80 burn victims at a rural hospital in Kenya, Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, and provides lessons for care of a large number of burned patients in a resource-limited setting.
METHODS
Data were obtained from retrospective review from hospital registers and patient files.
RESULTS
Treatment was provided for 89 victims. Eighty-six (97%) were men; median age was 25 years (interquartile range [IQR], 19-32). Half of the patients (45) died, the majority (31, 69%) within the first week. The median total body surface area burned for those who died was 80% (IQR, 60-90%) compared with 28% (IQR, 15-43%) for those who survived (p < 0.001). Twenty patients were transfused a total of 73 units of blood including one patient who received 9 units. Eighty surgical interventions were performed on 31 patients and included 39 split-thickness skin grafts, 21 debridements, 7 escharotomies, 6 dressing changes, 4 contracture releases, and 3 finger amputations. Of the 44 survivors, 39 (89%) were discharged within 4 months of the event.
CONCLUSIONS
Mortality after mass burn disasters is high in Africa. In areas where referral to tertiary centers is not possible, district hospitals should have mass disaster plans that involve collaboration with other organizations to augment medical and psychologic services. Even for patients who do not survive, compassionate care with analgesics can be given.
On January 31, 2009, a fuel tanker exploded in rural Kenya, killing and injuring hundreds of people. This article describes the care of >80 burn victims at a rural hospital in Kenya, Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, and provides lessons for care of a large number of burned patients in a resource-limited setting.
METHODS
Data were obtained from retrospective review from hospital registers and patient files.
RESULTS
Treatment was provided for 89 victims. Eighty-six (97%) were men; median age was 25 years (interquartile range [IQR], 19-32). Half of the patients (45) died, the majority (31, 69%) within the first week. The median total body surface area burned for those who died was 80% (IQR, 60-90%) compared with 28% (IQR, 15-43%) for those who survived (p < 0.001). Twenty patients were transfused a total of 73 units of blood including one patient who received 9 units. Eighty surgical interventions were performed on 31 patients and included 39 split-thickness skin grafts, 21 debridements, 7 escharotomies, 6 dressing changes, 4 contracture releases, and 3 finger amputations. Of the 44 survivors, 39 (89%) were discharged within 4 months of the event.
CONCLUSIONS
Mortality after mass burn disasters is high in Africa. In areas where referral to tertiary centers is not possible, district hospitals should have mass disaster plans that involve collaboration with other organizations to augment medical and psychologic services. Even for patients who do not survive, compassionate care with analgesics can be given.
Journal Article > ResearchAbstract
J Trauma. 2011 July 1; Volume 71 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1097/TA.0b013e31821b8622
Murphy RA, Ronat JB, Fakri R, Herard P, Blackwell N, et al.
J Trauma. 2011 July 1; Volume 71 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1097/TA.0b013e31821b8622
War-related orthopedic injury is frequently complicated by environmental contamination and delays in management, placing victims at increased risk for long-term infectious complications. We describe, among Iraqi civilians with war-related chronic osteomyelitis, the bacteriology of infection at the time of admission.