Pediatric Traumatic Amputations in the United States: A 5-Year Review.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric traumatic amputations are devastating injuries capable of causing permanent physical and psychological sequelae. Few epidemiologic reports exist for guidance of prevention strategies. The objective of this study is to review the recent trends in pediatric traumatic amputations using a national databank. METHODS: A review of all pediatric (age, 0 to 17 y) amputee patients was performed using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2011. Data including demographics, location of amputation, and mechanism of injury were analyzed. RESULTS: In the analysis 2238 patients were identified. The majority of amputations occurred in the youngest (0 to 5 y) and oldest (15 to 17 y) age groups with a 3:1 male to female ratio. The most common amputation locations were finger (54%) and toe (20%). A caught between mechanism (16.3%) was most common overall followed by machinery, powered lawn mowers, motor vehicle collisions, firearms, and off-road vehicles. Males were statistically more likely to have an amputation and lawnmower injuries were statistically associated with lower extremity amputations in children 5 years old and below. Motor vehicle injuries were the most common cause of adolescent amputations. Firearm-related amputations occurred predominantly in adolescents, whereas off-road vehicle amputations occurred in all ages. CONCLUSIONS: Common trends in pediatric amputations are relatively unchanged over the last decade. Young children sustain more finger amputations from a caught between objects mechanism, whereas adolescents sustain serious amputations from higher energy mechanisms such as firearms-related and motor vehicle-related injuries. Lawnmower-related amputations continue to most significantly affect younger children despite increased public awareness. Improved prevention strategies targeting age and mechanism-related trends are necessary to prevent these costly and debilitating injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Double V-Y Flap to Cover the Fingertip Injury: New Technique and Cases.

The volar V-Y flap is used in transverse or dorsal oblique amputations in fingertip injuries; however, its use is contraindicated in patients with volar oblique amputations and cannot advance distally enough to cover the defect. The aim of this report is to describe a technique of double V-Y flap to cover fingertip defects in which a simple V-Y flap is not enough. This technique allows advancement between 30% and 50% farther than the original, simple V-Y flap. Report of cases a series of fingertip amputation covered with this technique. This technique was performed in 7 patients between 25 and 64 years old, with transverse, volar and dorsal oblique defects in the fingertip. The advancing of the flap was between 3 and 5 mm. There were no infections or necrosis of the flaps. In all patients there were acceptable aesthetic results with 2-point discrimination between 4 and 6 mm in the proximal flap and up to 10 mm in the distal flap with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. With this double V-Y flap, we have seen a good coverage even in volar oblique amputation. In addition, it is possible to advance up to 5 mm more with this second V-Y flap without compromising the vitality of the flap. It is a simple and reproducible technique that can be used on any finger, with good results, without flap necrosis.

Estudo dos trabalhadores vítimas de acidente de trabalho grave participantes do Programa de Reabilitação Profissional do Instituto Nacional de Seguridade Social de Campinas, usuários de órtese e prótese / Study of workers victims of severe occupational accident participating in the Professional Rehabilitation Program of National Institute of Social Security of Campinas, orthosis and prosthesis users

É expressivo o número de Pessoas Portadoras de Deficiência (PPD) no Brasil e no mundo. Um dos fatores que levam ao aumento das estatísticas relacionadas a indivíduos com deficiência adquirida é o Acidente de Trabalho (AT), que pode provocar sequela permanente como amputações, comprometendo a qualidade de vida e do trabalho do trabalhador acidentado. Para possibilitar a reinserção dos acidentados no mercado de trabalho, o Instituto Nacional de Seguridade Social (INSS) mantém o Programa de Reabilitação Profissional (PRP). Objetivo: Estudar as características sociodemográficas e profissionais dos trabalhadores amputados, vítimas de AT, que receberam órtese e prótese do setor de Reabilitação Profissional do INSS e verificar as características dos acidentes de trabalho, a taxa de retorno ao mercado de trabalho formal, os fatores de sucesso e insucesso do PRP, discutir a importância da prótese como parte do processo de reinserção profissional. Métodos: O presente trabalho é um estudo transversal, descritivo, quantitativo, realizado INSS de Campinas/SP. A população de estudo foi constituída por todos os amputados inscritos na RP do INSS, no período de 2007 a 2012. Os dados foram coletados através de um levantamento de informações sócio-demográficas contidas nos prontuários dos amputados por acidente de trabalho, tais como: idade, gênero, dados da empresa, situação funcional antes e depois do acidente, utilização de recurso auxiliar para locomoção e participação no programa de reabilitação profissional. Resultados: Foram analisados 40 amputados, sendo 37 do sexo masculino. Nesta população de estudo, os adultos jovens na faixa etária de 18 a 29 anos foram os mais acometidos.

It is expressive the number of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Brazil and worldwide. One of the factors that leads to the increase of statistics related to acquired deficiency is the Occupational Accident (OA), which can cause permanent sequelae such as amputations, compromising the quality of life and work of the injured worker. To allow the reintegration of the victims into the labor market, the National Institute Of Social Security (INSS) keeps the Professional Rehabilitation Program (PRP). Objective: To study the socio demographic and professional characteristics of the amputees workers, victims of OA, who have received orthoses and prosthesis of the Professional Rehabilitation sector of INSS and verify characteristics of occupational accidents, the rate of return to the formal labor market, the success and failure factors of PRP, to discuss the importance of the prosthesis as part of the professional reintegration process. Methods: The present paper is a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study conducted at the National Institute Of Social Security (INSS) in Campinas, São Paulo. The study population comprised all amputees who participated in the Professional Rehabilitation program in the period from 2007 to 2012. Data were collected through a survey on sociodemographic information contained on patient charts of occupational accident amputees, such as age, gender, company details, position before and after the accident, use of auxiliary device for ambulation and participation in the occupational rehabilitation program. Results: 40 amputees were analyzed, 37 being males. Young adults in the age group from 18 to 29 years were the main victims.

Genital trauma due to animal bites.

PURPOSE: Animal bites to the external genitalia are rare. We retrospectively evaluated our experience with treating genital trauma caused by animal attacks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the medical records of 10 patients treated in the surgical emergency department at our hospital who presented with genital injury caused by an animal bite from 1983 to 1999. Special attention was given to the severity of injury, surgical treatment, antibiotic prophylaxis and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 2 men and 8 boys 8 were attacked by dogs, 1 by a horse and 1 by a donkey, respectively. In all cases initial local treatment involved débridement and copious wound irrigation with saline and povidone-iodine solution. Five patients who presented with minimal or no skin loss underwent primary skin closure, including 2 in whom urethral lacerations were surgically repaired. There was moderate to extensive tissue loss in 5 patients, including degloving penile injury in 2, traumatic spermatic cord amputation in 1, complete penile and scrotal avulsion in a 5-month-old infant, and partial penectomy in 1. Reconstructive procedures provided satisfactory cosmetic and functional results in 8 cases. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered in all patients and no infectious complications developed. CONCLUSIONS: Animal bite is a rare but potentially severe cause of genital trauma and children are the most common victims. Morbidity is directly associated with the severity of the initial wound. Because patients tend to seek medical care promptly, infectious complications are unusual. Management involves irrigation, débridement, antibiotic prophylaxis, and tetanus and rabies immunization as appropriate as well as primary wound closure or surgical reconstruction. Good functional and cosmetic results are possible in the majority of cases.

Pacientes amputados: adaptación social / Patients who had suffered an amputation: psychosocial adaptation

Se revisaron 182 fichas de pacientes amputados durante los años 1990 a 1992 en el Hospital del Trabajador de Santiago, registrándose variables sociodemográficas, tipo de accidente, diagnóstico psiquiátrico y situación psicosocial. Se realizó una entrevista de seguimiento a 78 de esos pacientes 5 años después del accidente aproximadamente. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes fueron las reacciones de ajuste ansioso (33 por ciento) y las reacciones mixtas (19 por ciento). El 87 por ciento se encuentra trabajando con buen nivel de satisfacción y el 90 por ciento se siente apoyado por su familia. El 35 por ciento presenta dolor fantasma y el 42 por ciento ha disminuido el nivel de actividad social

Ring avulsion injuries in a field environment.

Two soldiers are reported who sustained ring avulsion injuries while performing duties as part of Operation Provide Promise in Croatia (former Yugoslavia). These traction injuries inflicted on a ringed finger can present difficult diagnostic and treatment challenges in the field environment. They also can result in long-term disfigurement and disability. Due to the type of work performed and the equipment used by soldiers in the field environment, they are at particular risk for ring avulsion injuries. However, with appropriate education and precautions, these risks can be minimized.

La rehabilitación en amputados de miembros inferiores: aspectos importantes en su realización / Rehabilitation in patients with amputations of lower extremities: significant aspects

Se realiza el estudio de 34 pacientes que sufrieron amputaciones de miembros inferiores durante los años 1983 y 1984, de ambos sexos y todas las edades, tratados en el Servicio de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación de este hospital, con el objetivo de colocarles una prótesis de miembro inferior. Se determinan los niveles de amputación realizados, las edades, las causas de la amputación, así como los aspectos limitantes para lograr la rehabilitación del amputado

La rehabilitación en amputados de miembros inferiores: aspectos importantes en su realización / Rehabilitation in patients with amputations of lower extremities: significant aspects

Se realiza el estudio de 34 pacientes que sufrieron amputaciones de miembros inferiores durante los años 1983 y 1984, de ambos sexos y todas las edades, tratados en el Servicio de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación de este hospital, con el objetivo de colocarles una prótesis de miembro inferior. Se determinan los niveles de amputación realizados, las edades, las causas de la amputación, así como los aspectos limitantes para lograr la rehabilitación del amputado

Twenty-one-year experience with land mine injuries.

Land mines produce devastating injuries which are usually fatal. In Guantanamo Bay, there have been no survivors from close range, functioning antipersonnel mines of the M-16 series. All 15 antipersonnel mine fatalities suffered extremity amputation. Seven of the 15 patients suffered immediately fatal head, neck, or truncal injuries (Type I injury). The three patients who underwent hospital resuscitation had extremity amputation but were spared major head, neck, or truncal injury. It is in this group of injured that potentially salvageable patients can be identified; for them aggressive rescue and resuscitation must be performed. Those with Type II injuries are the highest priority in any triage plan. In a mass casualty or combat casualty scenario, Type II patients, in particular those with high bilateral above-the-knee amputations, may be reassigned to an expectant treatment category so as to allow the main focus on more salvageable patients. The prehospital management plan emphasizes rapid assessment and triage of patients, use of tourniquets to control extremity hemorrhage, supplemental oxygen or endotracheal intubation if possible, neck immobilization, use of the extremity section of the pneumatic antishock garment if applicable, and rapid transport to a hospital. Hospital management of these patients emphasizes aggressive resuscitation, early endotracheal intubation, and rapid volume replacement with simultaneous balanced salt solution and blood. Operative debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage and tetanus prophylaxis is performed; wounds are managed in an open fashion and frequently examined at subsequent dates in the operating room.