The orthopaedic experience of Kasr Al Ainy Hospitals in the Egyptian revolution

Abstract

Background

25 January 2011 marks the onset of the Egyptian revolution. Causalities were estimated to be at least 846 moralities and 6000 injuries. The purpose of this study is to document the orthopaedic injuries coming to the tertiary center of Cairo University Hospitals (Kasr Al Ainy) during the climax of the Egyptian revolution and the lessons learnt.

Material and methods

We retrospectively reviewed all hospital admissions in the period of 28 January 2011 till 4th February 2011 due to injuries related to the revolution. Total number of patients examined by the orthopaedic residents and staff members in the emergency room during that period was 553 patients. A total of 110 patients were admitted to the orthopaedic department.

Results

Various injuries were encountered. The most common were gun shot injuries (45 cases), followed by falls (28 cases), road traffic accidents (26) and trauma by blunt objects (11 cases). Overall 121 operative procedures were conducted in the operative theater by our residents and staff members. Fractures of the femur were the most common fractures (27 cases) followed by forearm fractures (13 cases). Limitations were the availability of a limited variety of orthopaedic implants.

Conclusion

We believe that tertiary centers should be prepared for mass causalities. A variety of orthopaedic implants should be within reach and that personnel should be trained to work under stressful environments with a well laid disaster management plan.