PURPOSE: The objective of this report was to analyse injury patterns and definitive management of local casualties with multiple blast extremity injuries in the Kabul International Airport Combat Support Hospital.
METHODS: A clinical prospective study was performed from July 2012 to January 2013. Afghan victims of a blast trauma with a minimum of two extremities injured and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 8 were included. Two groups were considered for analysis: group A including patients with amputations and group LS including patients with limb salvage procedures.
RESULTS: During this period 19 patients were included with a total of 57 extremity injuries. There were six patients in group A and 13 patients in group LS, with a mean number of injuries of 3.5 and 2.8, respectively. The ISS, blood products utilization and overall time of surgery were significantly greater in group A.
CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of multiple blast extremity injuries may be achieved in a field hospital despite limited resources and operational constraints. However, this activity requires the utilization of significant supplies and major investment from the caregivers deployed.