Armed Conflict Injuries to the Extremities

Based on treatment of victims of terror attacks at a large level 1 trauma center, this book offers a staged treatment protocol ranging from primary damage control to definitive functional limb reconstruction using internal and external fixation methods.

This book is designed to meet the continued need to re-learn the principles of treatment of complex war injuries to the extremities in order to minimize post-traumatic and post-treatment complications and optimize functional recovery. Most of the chapters are based on the unique experience gained in the treatment of military personnel who have suffered modern combat trauma and civilian victims of terror attacks at a single, large level 1 trauma center. The remaining chapters present the experience of leading international authorities in trauma and reconstructive surgery. A staged treatment protocol is presented, ranging from primary damage control through to definitive functional limb reconstruction. The organization of medical aid, anesthesiology, diagnostic imaging, infection prophylaxis, and management of complications are reviewed, and a ****special chapter is devoted to the challenging dilemma of limb salvage versus amputation in the treatment of limbs at risk.

Based on unique experience in the treatment of military personnel and civilian casualties at a large level 1 trauma center Presents a staged treatment protocol, ranging from primary damage control through to definitive functional limb reconstruction Discusses infection prophylaxis, management of complications, and rehabilitation Of value to both beginners and experts in the field of trauma Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Alexander Lerner is working at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, which is specialised in the treatment of military and civilian casualties. He is an orthopaedic surgeon, member in a number of international learned societies, has lectured worldwide and has heavily published in international journals.

Klappentext

Modern weapons and high-energy accidents inflict devastating damage to soft tissue and bone. As a result, both primary treatment and late limb reconstruction present a difficult surgical challenge. This book is designed to meet the continued need to re-learn the principles of treatment of complex war injuries to the extremities in order to minimize post-traumatic and post-treatment complications and to optimize functional recovery.

Most of the chapters in the book are based on the unique experience gained in the treatment of military personnel who have suffered modern combat trauma and civilian victims of terror attacks at a single, large level 1 trauma center. The remaining chapters present the experience of leading international authorities in the field of trauma and reconstructive surgery. A staged treatment protocol is presented, ranging from primary damage control, including the use of external fracture stabilization, through to definitive functional limb reconstruction by means of various internal and external fracture fixation methods. The organization of medical aid, anesthesiology, diagnostic imaging, and infection prophylaxis also receive detailed attention. The management of potential complications such as delayed unions, non-unions, and osteomyelitis is reviewed, and controversies in limb salvage are considered. Primary and late limb amputations are fully discussed, andaspecial chapter is devoted to the challenging dilemma of limb salvage versus amputation in the treatment of limbs at risk.

This well-illustrated book will be of value both to beginners and to experts in the field of trauma, including orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, vascular surgeons, and military medical personnel.

Inhalt
Organization of urgent medical aid, including mass casualty and triage.- Wound ballistics.- Damage Control.- Crush injury to limbs.- Anesthesiology in emergency patients.- Hemotransfusion in combat trauma.- Diagnostic imaging in combat trauma.- Soft tissue debridement.- Primary fracture stabilization.- Prophylaxis of wound infections after combat trauma.- Vascular trauma to limbs.- Peripheral nerve injury.- Plastic coverage of soft tissue defects.- Definitive bone reconstruction using internal fixation methods.- Definitive bone reconstruction using external fixation, including management of the severe bone loss.- Hand injuries.- Foot surgery.- Limb salvage versus amputation: The dilemma.- Amputation.- Complications: delayed unions, nonunions.- Osteomyelitis.- Pain treatment.