Introduction: The objective was to report on the experience of the French Army Health Service in the management of blast injury of the hands related to warfare explosive devices.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Percy Military Hospital (role 4 medical treatment facility) among French soldiers who presented with a combat-related blast injury of the hand between 2002 and 2018. The functional result was assessed by the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) and the Orthotics and Prosthetics User Survey (OPUS, upper extremity functional status) scores. Proximal amputations (PAs) and distal amputations (DAs) were distinguished for the analysis.
Results: Fifteen patients with a mean age of 31±8 years were included. They totalised 20 blasted hands. There were 16 traumatic amputations: 8 in each of the PA and DA groups. Twelve patients had additional injuries, four of which were polytraumatic. Skin closure time and flap use were higher in the DA group. Only one thumb reconstruction was performed. At a mean follow-up of 6.5±4 years, the number of amputees wearing a prosthesis was higher in the PA group. The mean DASH and OPUS scores were 35.5%±24.0% and 64.0%±19.0%, respectively, with no difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: The severity of hand blasts related to warfare explosive devices requires the systematic application of damage control surgery. PAs are frequent and secondary reconstruction options are limited. The functional result is poor and similar between proximal and distal amputees.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jramc-2019-001326 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters associated with an indicator of heart rate variability: The ADVANCE cohort study.
J Affect Disord
January 2025
King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, SE5 9RJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Academic Department of Military Mental Health, King's College London, SE5 9RJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is governed by of sympathetic and parasympathetic regulatory systems. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may influence these systems and consequently affect cardiovascular functioning.
Methods: The sample consisted of 860 UK male military personnel approximately half of who had sustained physical combat injuries in Afghanistan.
Evaluating the effectiveness of handheld ultrasound in primary blast lung injury: a comprehensive study.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Military Traffic Injury Prevention and Control, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, No. 10 Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, China.
The incidence of blast injuries has been rising globally, particularly affecting the lungs due to their vulnerability. Primary blast lung injury (PBLI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, while early diagnostic methods are limited. With advancements in medical technology, and portable handheld ultrasound devices, the efficacy of ultrasound in detecting occult lung injuries early remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopment of a Perioperative Risk Mortality Calculator for Humanitarian Surgical Care.
World J Surg
January 2025
Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
Background: Risk models to predict perioperative mortality rates (POMR) are critical to surgical quality improvement yet are not widely adapted for use in humanitarian and low-resource settings (LRS). We developed a POMR and corresponding nomogram and calculator for use in humanitarian surgical care.
Methods: Electronic health record data from a high-income academic medical center from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively extracted, selecting variables and operations specific to LRS.
Risk Factors for Limb Amputations in Modern Warfare Trauma: New Perspectives.
J Am Acad Orthop Surg
January 2025
From the Israel Defense Forces, Medical Corps, Kiryat Ono (Shapira, and Epstein), the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem (Shapira), the Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan (Shapira), the Israel National Center for Trauma and Emergency Medicine Research, Gertner Institute of Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan (Goldman, Givon, and Katorza), the Arrow Program for Medical Research Education, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan (Katorza), the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (Katorza, Dudkiewicz, and Prat), the Rehabilitation Division, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan (Dudkiewicz), the Critical Care Division, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa (Epstein), the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa (Epstein), and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel (Prat).
Background: In modern conflicts, extremities are mainly affected, with limb amputations required for approximately 5% of severely injured combatants and 7% of those with serious limb injuries. Amputations are some of the most challenging injuries endured by survivors, significantly affecting the patients and the healthcare system. This study aims to describe the rates, characteristics, and risk factors of limb amputations in patients with serious extremity trauma during the 2023 conflict in Israel.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEchoes of the blast: A qualitative study of loss and adaptation among bereaved families of the 2020 Beirut explosion.
Death Stud
January 2025
IDEES Multidisciplinary Research Group, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon.
On August 4, 2020, an explosion in the Beirut Port in Lebanon caused over 220 deaths and 76,000 injuries. The blast, which is considered a national tragedy, had profound impacts on Lebanese citizens, notably the traumatic loss for families who lost a loved one. This qualitative study explored the experiences of loss and adaptation among bereaved families following the Beirut Port explosion from a psychosocial perspective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!