Organization of stage rehabilitation of servicemen with gunshot defects of soft tissues at the levels of medical care

Building a modern system of rehabilitation of servicemen in Ukraine is an integral part of providing medical care in armed conflict. Rehabilitation of servicemen after gunshot wounds with soft tissue defects of the lower extremities is a common but difficult problem for surgical and rehabilitation teams. The process of rehabilitation requires the implementation of certain methodological provisions. At present, medical care for servicemen is a four-levels’ one. Rehabilitation service is provided at the third and fourth levels of medical care. The aim of the study was to improve the quality of medical care for servicemen after gunshot wounds with soft tissue defects of the lower extremities by introducing a system of staged rehabilitation. Organizational and methodological bases of the system of staged rehabilitation of wounded servicemen with soft tissue defects at different levels of medical care have been developed. Two models of rehabilitation depending on the severity of the injury and the tactics of surgical treatment are proposed. The division of the stage of early sanatorium rehabilitation for the wounded with severe soft tissue injuries depending on the stage of surgical treatment and the formation of a "skin patch" is justified. The introduction of the proposed models of rehabilitation of wounded with soft tissue defects in the practice of early sanatorium rehabilitation will provide increasing of medical care quality.

An Ode to Gillies and Millard: “The Ten Commandments Applied to Self-Inflicted Head and Neck Gunshot Wounds”

Within the field of craniofacial trauma surgery, reconstruction following high-energy ballistic injuries to the face remains a daunting task requiring a multidisciplinary approach for best outcomes. These injuries are complex with large defects requiring reconstruction of different lamellae and skeletal buttresses of the face and no 2 are exactly alike. The reconstruction efforts are multidimensional and focus on restoring facial height, width, projection, jaw occlusion, and function. We present a challenging course of a 56 year old patient with a self- inflicted gunshot wound to the face that resulted in devastating injuries to the mandible and midface. We describe our multistage and multiple technique surgical approach that spanned nearly 2 years and 11 operations that included open reduction, internal fixation of extensive facial fractures, primary bone grafting, free fibula for maxillary reconstruction and palatal fistula obliteration, pre-expanded paramedian forehead flap, and mandibular distraction. In reviewing the patient’s course, his complications, and wins, we were inspired by the fundamentals principles of head and neck reconstruction as we interpreted from the famous “Ten Commandments of Drs. Gillies and Millard.” We discuss these Commandments with the reader in our reflection of this challenging reconstruction and hope others, particularly, those in training are encouraged to find application of the “Ten Commandments” we review as they develop their own surgical practices and styles.

SIZE AND STRUCTURE OF SANITARY LOSSES IN WARS OF MODERN LOCAL ARMED CONFLICTS IN GUNSHOT INJURIES OF THE ABDOMEN WITH DAMAGE TO THE COLON

The purpose of the study is to analyze the sources of domestic and world literature with the study of the magnitude and structure of sanitary losses in wars and modern local armed conflicts with gunshot wounds to the abdomen with damage to the colon. To investigate sanitary losses at gunshot wounds of a colon. Conclusions. Sanitary losses in wars of local armed conflicts with gunshot wounds to the abdomen with damage to the colon remain high worldwide, despite individual means of protecting the torso. In this regard, it is notable to further study the anatomical and clinical features of gunshot wounds of the colon in the experience of the antiterrorist operation in eastern Ukraine.

RESULTS OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF FIRE WOUNDS OF COLON

The aim of the study. Evaluate the results of surgical treatment of wounded with gunshot wounds of the colon. Materials and methods of research. A retrospective analysis of the results of surgical treatment of 32 wounded with gunshot wounds of the colon, who were treated in the Central Medical Center and area of responsibility (II–IV level of medical care) from 2014 to 2017. Damage to the right half of the colon was observed in 12 wounded (37.4 %), the left half — in 17 (53.2 %), the rectum — in 3 (9.4 %). A differentiated approach to surgical treatment of colon injuries of different localization is applied. Results and discussion. The method of multi-stage surgical treatment “Damage Control Surgery” was used in 12.5 % of patients. The most common complications of the injury were adhesive intestinal obstruction in 6.3 % of cases, the formation of intestinal abscesses — in 6.3 %, the development of post-traumatic pneumonia in 25 % of patients. Conclusions. If the tactics of “Damage Control Surgery” are followed, it is possible to improve the results of surgical treatment of colon injuries in severe and extremely severe patients.

Firearm Injuries to the Wrist and Hand in Children and Adults: An Epidemiologic Study

Background: Gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the wrist and hand are a major health and economic burden in the United States. There are few studies examining the circumstances and epidemiological factors surrounding these injuries. This study assesses the epidemiological factors, as well as the shooting circumstances, injury details, and surgical management of wrist and hand GSWs in children and adults. Methods: Medical records and radiographs were reviewed for all patients with ballistic injury to the wrist or hand treated at an urban academic level 1 trauma center from 2016 to 2019. Fisher exact and Pearson χ2 tests were used to assess differences between groups. Results: Two hundred forty-nine victims (29 children, 220 adults) with complete documentation were identified. Among 180 victims with known shooting circumstances, 132 (70%) were shot by another person and 110 (65%) were injured by intentional gunfire. Eighty-seven victims (35%) suffered a concurrent GSW to another body region. Metacarpal fracture was the most commonly diagnosed bony injury (37%), followed by proximal phalanx fracture (25%). One hundred twenty-nine victims (52%) underwent surgery following their injuries. Nerve discontinuity was diagnosed in 27 victims (11%), while 20 victims (8%) had vascular disruption. There was no significant difference between children and adult victims’ type of fracture, concurrent injuries, rates of surgery, or in the most common fracture fixation method. Conclusions: Most wrist and hand GSW victims were injured due to intentional, non-self-inflicted gunfire. Most patients present with hand fractures, and fortunately, nerve and vascular disruptions are uncommon.

Pain syndrome in patients with gunshot wounds of the limbs and post-traumatic stress disorders

During the fighting in Eastern Ukraine, the number of patients with gunshot wounds to the extremities is about 64 %. Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in these patients fails in 82.1 % of cases. The reason for these results is the high incidence of chronic pain syndrome and treatment-resistance post-traumatic stress disorder. In 30–40 % of cases, treatment of pain syndrome in patients with gunshot wounds and post-traumatic stress disorders does not lead to a positive effect. In the future, reconstructive surgery must be performed in 35–40 % of cases.