Application of damage control orthopaedics in the treatment of severe polytrauma in Lushan earthquake rescue

Objective To report application of damage control orthopaedics in the hospital treatment of severe polytrauma patients after the earthquake at Yaan,Lushan,Sichuan,China.Methods A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 22 severe polytrauma patients who had been treated from 20April to 2 May,2013 with damage control orthopaedics in our hospital.They were 13 men and 9 women,aged from 20 to 60 years (average,43.1 years).Their injury severity score (ISS) ranged from 17 to 41 points (average,25.8 points).There were 11 open limb fractures and l0 closed limb fractures.Results The patients received 38 operations,including 24 definite ones,13 temporary ones and one amputation.Nine patients were in the process of smooth rehabilitation after all the necessary definite operations,and 13 needed further operation.All the open injuries got closed at one stage except in one patient who had deep infection at the incision postoperation which had to be controlled by debridement and vacuum sealing drainage.No angulation deformity was observed by the postoperative radiographic evaluation,or no loosening or infection at the pin tracks of the external fixator was observed in all the 13 patients treated by external fixation.Conclusion Damage control orthopaedics can improve the cure rate of severe polytrauma patients in an earthquake rescue,decrease their mortality and facilitate later definite medical management. Key words: Earchquake;  Wounds and injuries;  Multiple trauma;  Damage control