Terrorist attacks in the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan: Profile of soft tissue and skeletal injuries from a single trauma center

doi:10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2015.03.010

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Pakistan has been hugely struck with massive bomb explosions (car and suicide bombs) resulting in multiple casualties in the past few years. The aim of this study is to present the patterns of skeletal and soft tissue injuries and to review the outcome of the victims who presented to our hospital.
METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review from January 2008 to December 2012. The medical record numbers of patients were obtained from the hospital Health Information and Management Sciences (HIMS) as per the ICD-9 coding.
RESULTS: During the study period, more than 100 suicide and implanted bomb blast attacks took place in the public proceedings, government offices, residential areas and other places of the city. Altogether 262 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 31±14 years. The shrapnel inflicted wounds were present on to the upper limb in 24 patients and the lower limb in 50.
CONCLUSION: Long bone fractures were the most common skeletal injuries. The fractures were complicated by penetrating fragments and nails which result in post operative infections and prolonged hospital stay.

Key words: Soft tissue injuries, Pakistan

Muhammad Shahid Khan, Shahan Waheed, Arif Ali, Narjis Mumtaz, Asher Feroze, Shahryar Noordin. Terrorist attacks in the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan: Profile of soft tissue and skeletal injuries from a single trauma center[J]. World Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2015, 6(3): 217-220.

Figures/Tables 4

References 15

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Variables	Frequency (%)
Number of patients	262
Age
<19 years	44 (17)
19-28 years	75 (29)
29-38 years	68 (26)
39-48 years	37 (14)
49-58 years	21 (8)
59 + years	17 (6)
Male/Female	220/42
Injury severity score
<9	78 (31)
9-15	88 (35)
>15	83 (33)

Variables	Frequency (%)
Debridement	94
Relook debridement	1
Primary fixation	51
Stage fixation	1
Fasciotomy	2
Bone grafting	1
Other	49

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