Evaluation of immediate phase of management of missile injuries affecting maxillofacial region in iraq. 2006

Raja Kummoona, and Aliaa M Muna
Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Specialized Surgeries Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq.

In the past two years Iraq was, and still is, subjecting to a confluence of conventional war, civil unrest, guerrilla and terrorist attacks as well as an increasing crime rates. This study evaluates the immediate phase of management of 100 patients suffering from missile injuries to the maxillofacial region. Patients were treated in the maxillofacial unit in the Specialized Surgeries Hospital Medical City, Baghdad during one year (from 2003 to 2004). We had 79 men and 21 women. Age ranged from three to 72 years (mean 37.5 years). The majority of injuries were caused by rifle bullets (49%) followed by fragments (29%), handgun bullets (15%), airgun pellets (6%), and shotgun (1%). Injuries consisted mainly of mandibular fractures found in 56 patients. Urgent airway management was needed in (27%) of patients. Nineteen patients were presented with active bleeding which would not stop without intervention. Most entrance and exit wounds as well as retained missiles were located in the cheek (54.8%, 39.4%, and 27.5% respectively). There were three mortalities due to complications related to head injury. Distribution of missiles used in any conflict reflects the type of this conflict, the prevailing local conditions, and the technological efficiency of weapons used by the opposing teams. Particularly challenging are missile injuries that involve the face, not only because of problems with reconstructing bone and soft tissue defects but also because of emergent problems with airway obstruction and neurovascular compromise.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007493 Iraq A country bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait. The capital is Baghdad. Republic of Iraq
D008297 Male Males
D008446 Maxillofacial Injuries General or unspecified injuries involving the face and jaw (either upper, lower, or both). Injuries, Maxillofacial,Injury, Maxillofacial,Maxillofacial Injury
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D004638 Emergency Treatment First aid or other immediate intervention for accidents or medical conditions requiring immediate care and treatment before definitive medical and surgical management can be procured. Emergency Therapy,Therapy, Emergency,Emergency Therapies,Emergency Treatments,Therapies, Emergency,Treatment, Emergency,Treatments, Emergency
D005260 Female Females
D006470 Hemorrhage Bleeding or escape of blood from a vessel. Bleeding,Hemorrhages
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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