Treatment for 332 cases of lower leg fracture in “5.12” Wenchuan earthquake

ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze the medical treatment of 332 patients with lower leg fracture in Wenchuan earthquake admitted in West China Hospital.MethodsFrom May 12, 2008 to June 15, 2008, 332 patients with lower leg fracture injured in Wenchuan earthquake were treated in our hospital. The data on trauma condition and clinical treatment were collected and analyzed.ResultsAmong the 332 cases of lower leg fracture, there were 179 cases of open fracture, accounting for 53.9%, in which 91% belonged to Gustilo II or III injury with serious pollution. Many patients had posttraumatic complications, vascular and nerve injury, wound infection or osteofascial compartment syndrome. After medical treatment, blood vessels were reconnected, wound surface was repaired and wound infection was under control.ConclusionFor the patients with lower leg fracture in earthquake, we followed the principle of “complete debridement-restoring the continuity of bone bracket-timely recovering blood supply of limbs and repairing nerve damage-repair the wound surface at stage I or II” so as to reduce the incidence of amputation and infection.