Outcomes of lower extremity injuries sustained during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lower extremity war injuries are complex because of changes in weaponry and ballistics. Outcomes of a functional lower extremity depend on early transport, early debridement and washout, and advanced surgical techniques such as microvascular procedures. The purpose of this article is to present evidence on the outcomes of lower extremity complex injuries and provide evidence-based factors that contribute to these outcomes.
Spear
Marcia
M
Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. marcia.spear@vanderbilt.edu
D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D003646:Debridement; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D023821:Limb Salvage; D008866:Microsurgery; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology