title: The validity of the mangled extremity severity score in the assessment of upper limb injuries.
abstract: The Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) may be used to decide whether to perform amputation in patients with injuries involving a limb. A score of 7 points or higher indicates the need for amputation. We have treated three patients with a MESS of 7 points or higher, in two of which the injured limb was salvaged. This scoring system was originally devised to assess injuries to the lower limb. However, a MESS of 7 points as a justification for amputation does not appear appropriate when assessing injuries to the major vessels in the upper limb.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hyperbaric Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-5819, Japan. stogawa@muc.biglobe.ne.jp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Togawa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamami
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozeki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D023821:Limb Salvage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery