Citation

Navarro Suay R, Abadía de Barbará AH, Gutierrez Ortega C, Bartolomé Cela E, Lam DM, Gilsanz Rodríguez F. Mil. Med. 2012; 177(3): 326-332.

Affiliation

Grupo de Escuelas de la Defensa, Escuela Militar de Sanidad, Camino de los Ingenieros n 6, CP: 28071 Madrid, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22479922

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To provide an analysis of casualties treated during medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) or/and at the Spanish Role 2 in Herat, Afghanistan, including type of weapon, injuries, and effects of protective measures. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was carried out concerning patients who had suffered injuries from either gunshot or explosive devices treated during MEDEVAC or/and at this facility during the period 2005-2008. RESULTS: The total number of cases analyzed was 256. The majority of the casualties were produced by explosive devices (71%). The anatomical regions most affected were the lower limbs (48%). There was a higher New Injury Severity Score in casualties wounded by gunshot (14 +/- 1) than in those wounded by explosive devices (8.5 +/- 1.5) (p < 0.001). Surgical procedures for injuries caused by gunshots were 1.7 times more likely than for those due to explosive devices (95% confidence interval: 1.4 to 2.1). Protective devices were used only by 25% of casualties. CONCLUSIONS: The injury score indices of firearm casualties were higher than the explosive device casualties' injury score indices. The possible reasons for this finding are discussed.

Language: en