Salvage of Combat Hindfoot Fractures in 2003-2014 UK Military.

Background: Hindfoot fractures pose a considerable challenge to military orthopaedic surgeons, as combat injuries are typically the result of energy transfers not seen in civilian practice. This study aimed to characterize the pattern of hindfoot injuries sustained by UK military casualties in recent conflicts, define the early amputation and infection rate, and identify factors associated with poor early outcomes.

Methods: The UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry was searched for British military casualties sustaining a hindfoot fracture from Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003 and 2014.

Gun-shot injuries in UK military casualties - Features associated with wound severity.

Introduction: Surgical treatment of high-energy gun-shot wounds (GSWs) to the extremities is challenging. Recent surgical doctrine states that wound tracts from high-energy GSWs should be laid open, however the experience from previous conflicts suggests that some of these injuries can be managed more conservatively. The aim of this study is to firstly characterise the GSW injuries sustained by UK forces, and secondly test the hypothesis that the likely severity of GSWs can be predicted by features of the wound.

Dermal Fenestration With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Technique for Managing Soft Tissue Injuries Associated With High-Energy Complex Foot Fractures.

Military casualties can sustain complex foot fractures from blast incidents. This frequently involves the calcaneum and is commonly associated with mid-foot fracture dislocations. The foot is at risk of both compartment syndrome and the development of fracture blisters after such injuries.