Civilian and non-civilian leg injuries in iraq before and after Iraqi ´freedom

Abstract EN

Aim of study : To compare civilian and non-civilian leg injuries (fractures and soft tissue injuries) in patients admitted to the orthopedic ward in Al-hilla general hospital in peace and war times.

Methods : A retrospective study of patient's records in two periods : from 1 January 2002 to 31 August 2002 and from 1 January 2005 to 31 August 2005 taking into consideration patient age, sex, type of injury, mechanism of injury, associated neurovascular injury, associated other limbs and body parts injuries, type of operations, and length of stay.

Results : In the peace period there were 30 patients vs.

176 in the war period.

The rate of civilian injuries has been duplicated 2x, while that of non-civilian 60x : 60% of them were minor fragment injuries; 89% of open fractures were Gustillo П &Ш; 68% of open fractures were stabilized freedom" period has been duplicated 12 x.

"definitely by external fixator.

The rate of amputation in the Conclusion : Increased violence in Iraq following `freedom´ with the occurrence of the ever seen before terror attacks has resulted in many massacres among innocent Iraqi civilians.

These disasters, in view of limited medical care facilities in our hospitals, create many problems that partly should be solved by organized and accurate triage