Management of 1070 earthquake trauma patients: a preliminary report

Objective To report the clinical data and emergency treatment of the patients injured in the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake in our hospital. Methods We admitted 1070 patients who had been injured in the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake from May 12 to May 30, 2008. Their clinical data and management were summarized. Results There were 412(38.5%) cases of open injury and 658(61.5%) cases of close injury. Five hundred and fifty-seven patients (52.1%) had injury to extremities and trunk, 248(23.2%) had injury to chest, abdomen and head, and 232 (21.7%) had multiple injuries. Of these patients, 25 had shock, 25 had compartment syndrome, 8 had compression syndrome and developed acute renal failure, and 1 had clostridial myonecrosis. Amputation was done for 26 limbs of 23 victims, with an amputation rate of 2.1%. By ISS (injury severity score), 372(34. 8%) cases were rated as mild, 183(17.1%) as moderate, 480(44.9%) as severe, and 35(3.3%) as extremely severe. Conclusion Rapid transport, early diagnosis and timely operative treatment may contribute to low overall mortality and low rate of complications for earthquake victims. Key words: Earthquakes;  Trauma;  Epidemiology