RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Patterns of anatomical injury and anaesthesia procedures in wounded Ukrainian soldiers from Anti-Terrorist Operation/Operation Joint Forces: 2014–2021
JF BMJ Military Health
JO BMJ Mil Health
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e002633
DO 10.1136/military-2023-002633
A1 Kuchyn, Iurii
A1 Sapunar, D
A1 Horoshko, V
YR 2024
UL http://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/early/2024/05/02/military-2023-002633.abstract
AB Introduction The study aims to analyse the causes and anatomical patterns of explosive and gunshot wounds in Ukrainian soldiers acquired during the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Operation Joint Forces. We also investigated how general and regional anaesthesia procedures affected post-operative pain in wounded soldiers.Methods A retrospective observational study was done based on the medical records of Ukrainian soldiers wounded in the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Operation Joint Forces between 2014 and 2021. The collected data included the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, mechanism of injury, the pattern of anatomical injury, pain intensity and the choice of anaesthesia given. Pain intensity was diagnosed using a Numerical Rating Scale.Results A total of 280 combat casualties with explosive (75.7%) and gunshot (24.3%) wound injuries were included in the study. Most of the wounded soldiers had one body region affected by injury (59.3%). In most of the cases, the affected body regions were lower (48.2%) and upper (33.8%) limbs. In 62.5% of patients, regional anaesthesia was used, while general anaesthesia was used in 37.5% of cases. The pain significantly decreased after initial treatment at the field medical unit regardless of the anaesthesia type or the number of affected body regions.Conclusion Understanding the sources and anatomical patterns of war-related injuries in recent conflicts is an important element in reducing the mortality and suffering of wounded soldiers. The high percentage of injured extremities in our cohort emphasises the importance of regional anaesthesia in contemporary wars.Data are available on reasonable request. Raw data generated and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on request.