Patterns of anatomical injury and anaesthesia procedures in wounded Ukrainian soldiers from Anti-Terrorist Operation/Operation Joint Forces: 2014–2021

IntroductionThe 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 wou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ military health 2024-05, p.e002633
Main Authors: Kuchyn, Iurii, Sapunar, D, Horoshko, V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adult surgery
Chronic pain
Demographics
General anesthesia
Hospitals
Injuries
Medical personnel
Military personnel
Original research
Pain management
Regional anesthesia
Surgery
Variance analysis
wound management
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Summary:IntroductionThe 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionUnderstanding 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.
ISSN:2633-3767
2633-3775
DOI:10.1136/military-2023-002633