Thoughts on the rescue of persons with abdominal injuries after the Wenchuan earthquake / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

At 228 p.m. local time on 12 May, 2008, the Wenchuan earthquake struck with a magnitude of 8.0. After the earthquake, 1364 injured persons, including 732 women and 632 men, were admitted to Deyang People's Hospital. The ages of the injured persons ranged from 0.2 years to 102 years (mean, 42.5 years). Of all injured persons, 4.65% aged under 7 years, 13.84% between 7 and 18 years, 39.57% between 19 and 45 years, 24.48% between 46 and 65 years, and 17.46% above 65 years. A total of 1713 injuries were found in all the injured persons, and the predominant injuries were found in limbs, body surface, head and chest. The incidence of the multiple injuries was 23.64%. Eighteen persons with abdominal injuries received operation. Prompt, accurate and systematic evaluation of the injury is necessary in raising the rescue efficiency. Treating the injured persons according to a classification optimizes the usage of the limited medical resources. Early definitive operation is crucial in rescuing the lives of the injured persons, and the treatment should be applied within 24 hours after the earthquake, then the emphasis of the rescue work should shift to helping orthopedic surgeons with operation and debridement.