Spine injuries in combat troops--Panama, 1989.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-1993
Abstract
Operation Just Cause was until recently the largest American combat operation since Vietnam, and remains the largest nighttime parachute operation since World War II. All 252 casualties were airlifted to San Antonio, Texas, for medical treatment. Greater than 80% sustained orthopedic injuries. Sixteen patients were admitted for injuries to the back or neck. Three of the four patients with significant fractures or fracture-dislocations were paraplegic. Two of the three patients with gunshot wounds to the back required extensive reconstruction for wound management. In addition to the 252 casualties, there were 23 fatalities, among whom 7 suffered major injuries to the spine. Spine injuries represented the most significant source of long-term morbidity among those soldiers wounded in combat in Panama, and were common among the fatalities. Noteworthy in these cases was the high percentage of severe neurologic injuries in patients with significant fractures (75%), particularly fractures associated with gunshot wounds. Also of interest were the cases of major soft tissue injury associated with high-velocity gunshot wounds (66%) and the extensive soft tissue surgery needed to treat these injuries.
Volume
158
Issue
7
First Page
501
Last Page
502
ISSN
0026-4075
Published In/Presented At
Parsons, T. W., 3rd, Lauerman, W. C., Ethier, D. B., Gormley, W., Cain, J. E., Elias, Z., & Coe, J. (1993). Spine injuries in combat troops--Panama, 1989. Military medicine, 158(7), 501–502.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
8351057
Department(s)
Department of Surgery
Document Type
Article