@article{ref1,
title="The extent of soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries after earthquakes; describing a role for reconstructive surgeons in an emergency response",
journal="World journal of surgery",
year="2014",
author="Clover, A. J. P. and Jemec, B. and Redmond, A. D.",
volume="38",
number="10",
pages="2543-2550",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Earthquakes are the leading cause of natural disaster-related mortality and morbidity. Soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries are the predominant type of injury seen after these events and a major reason for admission to hospital. Open fractures are relatively common; however, they are resource-intense to manage. Appropriate management is important in minimising amputation rates and preserving function. This review describes the pattern of musculoskeletal and soft-tissue injuries seen after earthquakes and explores the manpower and resource implications involved in their management. <br><br>METHODS: A Medline search was performed, including terms &quot;injury pattern&quot; and &quot;earthquake,&quot; &quot;epidemiology injuries&quot; and &quot;earthquakes,&quot; &quot;plastic surgery,&quot; &quot;reconstructive surgery,&quot; &quot;limb salvage&quot; and &quot;earthquake.&quot; Papers published between December 1992 and December 2012 were included, with no initial language restriction. <br><br>RESULTS: Limb injuries are the commonest injuries seen accounting for 60 % of all injuries, with fractures in more than 50 % of those admitted to hospital, with between 8 and 13 % of these fractures open. After the first few days and once the immediate lifesaving phase is over, the management of these musculoskeletal and soft-tissue injuries are the commonest procedures required. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Due to the predominance of soft-tissue and musculoskeletal injuries, plastic surgeons as specialists in soft-tissue reconstruction should be mobilised in the early stages of a disaster response as part of a multidisciplinary team with a focus on limb salvage.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0364-2313",
doi="10.1007/s00268-014-2607-y",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-014-2607-y"
}