title: Soft tissue infection after missile injuries to the extremities--a non-randomized, prospective study in Gaza City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with soft tissue injuries caused by missile attacks during wartime have been treated with radical debridement and delayed closure. In a study in Gaza City, the rate of infection of missile injuries to the extremities when treated with minimal surgical intervention, was measured.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with severe soft tissue damage, compound fractures, and injuries to major blood vessels and/or nerves were excluded from the study. One hundred fourteen patients were treated according to a standardized regime that included a superficial, minor surgery revision of the inlet and the outlet opening, and antibiotic treatment. Local soft tissue infection was defined as the presence of at least two signs of local infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 109 out of 114 patients attended the first follow-up visit. Eleven (10%) of these patients had an infected wound. A total of 105 of the patients (92%) attended a second follow-up. None of these patients had an infected wound.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under conditions with a high number of casualties, minimal surgical treatment followed by the administration of antibiotics is a safe procedure for patients with penetrating missile injuries and less severe soft tissue damage.
authors.affiliation: Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Al Quds Hospital, Tel Al Hawa, Gaza City, Gaza Palestinian Authority.
authors.forename: Hazem M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hamouda
authors.forename: Eivind
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Witsø
authors.forename: Nedal K E
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Moghani
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahwan
authors.forename: Oystein P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Nygaard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000276:immunology*; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy