title: Management of complex extremity injuries: tourniquets, compartment syndrome detection, fasciotomy, and amputation care.
abstract: Historically, complex extremity injuries, otherwise known as mangled extremities, have been difficult management problems. This is especially true in multiply-injured patients where many priorities exist and where amputation is considered a failure of limb salvage. Over the past decade, advances in the total management of complex extremity injuries, from the placement of life-saving and limb-saving tourniquets in the prehospital setting to the advancement of prosthetics and rehabilitation months to years later, have resulted in superb functional results regardless of whether limb salvage or amputation is undertaken.
authors: Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA. robert.rush1@us.army.mil
authors: Robert M
authors: RM
authors: Rush
authors: Edward D
authors: ED
authors: Arrington
authors: Joseph R
authors: JR
authors: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D023821:Limb Salvage; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014111:Tourniquets; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices