RESUMO
Objective: To profile the spectrum of injuries and management of casualities treated in forward treatment centre [FTC] Wana over a period of one year by optimizing the available resources of a Field Hospital
Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Forward treatment center Wana South Waziristan Agency, from 21 Jan 2014 to 08 Dec 2014
Material and Methods: A total of 62 cases brought in FTC were included in the study. Cases were managed according to Advanced Trauma Life Support [ATLS] protocol. A policy of aggressive resuscitation, early primary repair of injuries and evacuation was followed at our setup
Results: All patients were male with a mean age of 28.1 +/- 4.443 yrs. The majority of casualties were military [52 cases, 83.9%] and the major cause of injury was found to be improvised explosive device [33 cases, 53.2%]. Extremities were involved in majority of casualties [38 cases, 50.7%]. A total number of 91 operations were performed in 62 cases which included 14 laparotomies [15.4%], 21 chest intubations [23%], 9 amputations [9.9%], 19 cases of debridement [20.9%], 10 fasciotomies [11%], 1 tendon repair [1.1%], 10 closed reduction of fractures [11%], 5 closed reduction of dislocations [5.5%] and 2 cases of extremity vascular repair [2.2%]
Conclusion: Optimal utilization of limited resources warrants a responsible approach of surgeons towards injured brought at FTCs. A variety of injuries may be encountered by the forward surgical team who can significantly contribute by providing life and limb saving surgery