Evaluation of injuries first week after Wenchuan earthquake in field hospital / 上海第二医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the injuries in Jiangyou Field Hospital first week after Wenchuan earthquake,and accumulate experience for better medical services and better-built field hospitals to meet the demands of the earthquake-stricken areas.Methods Classification was performed in 1 905 patients with emergency treatment.The medical records of those with hospital stay were retrospectively analysed,including geographical distribution,trauma type,diagnosis,initial treatment and outcomes.Results Six hundred and twenty-nine(33%)patients were hospitalized,with an average of 2 to 100 years old(median,41.2).Three hundred and eighty-four patients(61%)were admitted within the first three days after earthquake.The patients were mainly from Jiangyou City(245,39%),Beichuan County(194,31%)and Pingwu County (158,25%).The most common types of injuries were superficial lacerations(326,51.8%),fractures(202,32.1%) and soft tissue contusions/sprains(87,13.9%),among whom 15 experienced severe squeeze.There were 318 injuries to pelvis and extremities(50.6%),117 to head(18.6%)and 43 to back(6.8%),and 73 cases had multiple injuries (11.6%).Of 376 patients(59.8%)with operation,326 received debridement,21 external fixation,19 internal fixation, 11 amputation,4 laparotomy,4 fasciotomy and 2 craniotomy.The incidence of postoperative infections was 11.8%.Death occurred in 39 patients due to cerebral trauma,pelvic fracture,abdominal hemorrhage and multiple injuries.Conclusion When the earthquake has destroyed the major medical facilities,rapid organization of medical rescue teams,making full use of remaining medical resources and recovering electricity play an important role in the rescue of victims and reduction of mortality.Orthopaedic surgeons must dominate the medical teams as most of the earthquake victims suffer from injuries to the extremities.