Abstract
The major factor determining the outcome in high-energy combat injuries to the limbs is the severity and extension of the soft tissue damage. Primary radical debridement is a crucial phase in the management of patients after open high-energy injuries. Inadequate tissue debridement remains the major cause of acute and chronic infection after severe trauma. Often, this important first surgical procedure determinates the long-term outcome of severe trauma. Repeated serial debridements are required for patients with high-velocity war injuries, especially those suffering from explosive and crush injuries with large zones of injury and skeletal muscle defects. This chapter will focus and outline the general principles and techniques of primary wound inspection and surgical debridement after combat trauma.
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Soudry, M., Lerner, A. (2011). Tissue Debridement. In: Lerner, A., Soudry, M. (eds) Armed Conflict Injuries to the Extremities. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16155-1_8
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