Prognostic validity of different classifications in assessment of war inflicted nerve injury

In this study, the relation of postoperative peripheral nerve recovery following war inflicted nerve injuries and the injury classification according to the projectile energy, Abbreviated Injuries Scale, 1985 revision, as well as the fracture and metallic bodies criteria (Red Cross Wound Classification), was investigated. During the war against Croatia, the authors followed-up 137 wounded people, suffering a total of 147 various war nerve injuries that were surgically treated. The prospective classification of all wounded based on the projectile energy data and retrospective classification based on the Abbreviated Injury Scale and Red Cross Wound Classification were performed. The recovery was independently evaluated by a neurologist according to the British Medical Research Council for arm and Millesi scale for leg nerve injuries. A statistically significant relation was obtained between the peripheral nerve function recovery, Abbreviated Injury Scale and fracture criteria from the Red Cross Wound Classification. There was no significant influence on the projectile energy and presence of metallic body criteria on the nerve function recovery. The Abbreviated Injury Scale was concluded to be the most valid prognostic classification in the assessment of war inflicted peripheral nerve injuries. The fracture criteria were also found to be an additional valuable source of information.