Armed Conflict Injuries to the Extremities
A Treatment Manual

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.

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.