Experience of early orthopedic management to victims in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]On May 12,2008,an over 8.0-magnitude earthquake occurred in Wenchuan county,Sichuan province,China.The anthor's field hospital was deployed to An county,which arrived on the 3rd day after the disaster.During the first week of the deployment,284 victims with musculoskeletal injuries received orthopedic management.The objective of this article is to highlight the experience gained by this author's medical assistance team,focusing on the orthopedic care in the early part of the post-disaster relief activities.[Method]Records of 284 patients who underwent orthopedic management were reviewed retrospectively.[Result]There were a large number of musculoskeletal injuries amongst the survivors in the acute phase of the disaster,including spinal trauma,fractures and dislocations,peripheral nerve injuries and soft tissue injuries.The average age was 49.3 years(range,11 to 92 years) with 133 men and 151 women.The patients with upper extremity fracture were 85,with lower extremity fracture 73,with spinal fracture 23,with shoulder or hip dislocation 7.The patients with hand or foot injuries,peripheral nerve injuries and soft tissue injuries were 96.Open injuries were 67,the remaining were closed injuries.Totally 131 patients recovered,and the rest were transferred to the rear hospital for further management.The X-ray postoperatively showed that 21 open fractures were reduced functionally by means of external fixator,and the shoulder or hip dislocations were reduced anatomically.The wounds with primary suture had no infection.There were no other complications.[Conclusion]Correct diagnsis of the injuries,providing scientific and resonable therapeutic measures,and correct operative indication should be emphasized for early orllopedic care.Definitive surgeries such as open reduction and internal fixation are not recommended strongly.External fixation for post-earthquake open fractures is simple and effective,allowing simple approach to wound care and transferring to rear hospital during the whole period of fixation.