[Surgical management of landmine foot injuries in the orthopedic and trauma clinic of Ziguinchor regional].
The aim of this work was to discribe the lesions caused by the use of blasting landmines among civilians in south Senegal, and to evaluate their surgical management. The prospective study, which was conducted from February 2001 to September 2002, took place in the orthopedics and trauma clinic of the Ziguinchor regionle hospital. The average age of the patients was 22, and they included 13 men and 2 women. In 12 cases, the lesions were unilateral and bilateral in 3 cases. Surgical management began with an assessment of the lesions using the classification of Coupland and De Wind. Treatment was based on a pre-established protocol in order to end up with a stump of good quality. The major lesion would consist in one or both lower limbs crushed or amputated. It would be open and of the I- type according to Coupland and De Wind. Lesions as a result of several shrapnel impact and burns were considered as associated lesions with the main lesion. Six patients presented an infection of the stump. Some stumps healed completely after about 15 days, and some took no more than 75 days before closing up. Only one stump needed grafting. All our patients had the advantage of a casting off. The young and rural people were the most vulnerable. Lesions were rather distal-based. Infection delayed healing. No matter what the form of the lesion, there was always a partial loss of a limb. Landmine feet injuries as serious lesions. The objective of the surgical treatment is to facilitate the further use of a prosthesis.
Dieme
C
C
Service d'Orthopédie-Traumatologie, BP 25702 Dakar, Fann, Senegal.
Senghor
J
J
Sane
A
A
Dansokho
A
A
Ndiaye
A
A
Seye
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012424:Rural Population; D012675:Senegal; D014945:Wound Healing