RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of traumatic, nonbattle, Combat Zone hand injuries has not been well explored. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of Emergency Department visits occurring at the Ibn Sina Hospital in Baghdad Iraq. RESULTS: During the 24-month period from May 2007 to June 2009, 7,520 patients were seen at the Ibn Sina Hospital Emergency Department. Three hundred thirty-one cases met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-four cases were found to have required near-term evacuation from area of operation. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic, nonbattle hand injuries are common and appear to be a significant problem in the Combat Zone. Injuries occurring because of the closure of vehicle doors, hatches, and turrets make up a large portion of these injuries and represent an optimal area of intervention for possible injury mitigation.
