Care of the Wounded Warrior: Upper Extremity Injury

11.10.2009

SPEAKERS:

• Eric Bluman, MD, PhD, Brigham & Women’s (BWH) Foot and Ankle Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, HMS
• COL Paul Pasquina, MD, United States Army Medical Corps and Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center
• Matt Mikosz, Hanger, Inc.
• Henrik Malchau, MD, PhD, , MGH and HMS
• Cathryn Sundback, ScD, MGH
• Lifei Guo, MD, PhD, BWH and HMS

MODERATOR: Joseph S. Barr, Jr., MD, MGH and HMS

Video not available.

Forum Abstract

Extremity wounds and fractures, along with traumatic brain injury (TBI), comprise the majority of injuries in current U.S. armed conflicts, because body armor protects the chest and abdomen. Survival rates are over 90%, much higher than in previous conflicts. As a result of the nature and severity of injuries and the prevalence of concomitant injuries seen in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, amputee care has assumed a high priority in rehabilitative care. Despite massive bone and soft tissue defects, high preoperative wound colonization, and delays in definitive reconstruction, devastating war wounds can often be successfully reconstructed in the sub-acute period with low flap failure, infection, and amputation rates. New prosthetics can allow for impressive functional capability, and advances in tissue engineering will alter the future course of care. Presenters will discuss the present state of the art, areas of need, and potential research and collaborations to improve the care and outcome for those who experience these injuries.  

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