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Primary surgical treatment of war injuries of the foot
D Nikolic1, Z Jovanovic, R Vulovic
1Clinic of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Military Medical Academy, Crnotravska str. 17, 11000, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Abstract:
Presented are the results of primary surgical treatment of war injuries of the foot in 250 patients wounded in the territory of former Yugoslavia in the period June 1991-October 1995. Total number of feet treated was 275. Aetiologically, the most frequent injuries were those inflicted by the effect of mine blasts (65.2%) and by bullets from firearms (30.8%). Injuries to a single foot were present in 140 (56.0%), combined injuries in 107 (42.8%) and associated with burn injuries in three (1.2%) patients. Soft tissue injuries were present in 25 (9.1%) and injuries to bone structures and joints in 250 (90.9%) feet. Injuries resulting from solid blasts were found in nine (3.2%) feet. Postoperative bone fragment stabilization was required in 115 (41.8%) feet. Stabilization was by plaster of Paris in 87 (75.6%) and by external fixation in 23 (20. 0%) feet. Amputations were performed in 73 (26.5%) feet. Covering of soft tissue and bone defects was required in 84 (33.6%) patients.