Armed Conflict Injuries to the Extremities

Alexander Lerner is working at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, which is specialised in the treatment of military and civilian casualties. He is an orthopaedic surgeon, member in a number of international learned societies, has lectured worldwide and has heavily published in international journals.

• Organization of urgent medical aid, including mass casualty and triage.- Wound ballistics.- Damage Control.- Crush injury to limbs.- Anesthesiology in emergency patients.- Hemotransfusion in combat trauma.- Diagnostic imaging in combat trauma.- Soft tissue debridement.- Primary fracture stabilization.- Prophylaxis of wound infections after combat trauma.- Vascular trauma to limbs.- Peripheral nerve injury.- Plastic coverage of soft tissue defects.- Definitive bone reconstruction using internal fixation methods.- Definitive bone reconstruction using external fixation, including management of the severe bone loss.- Hand injuries.- Foot surgery.- Limb salvage versus amputation: The dilemma.- Amputation.- Complications: delayed unions, nonunions.- Osteomyelitis.- Pain treatment.

From the reviews:“It presents a broad approach to limb injuries with an emphasis on the accumulated experience of combat and civilian orthopedic surgeons. Traumatologists, emergency physicians, intensivists, and orthopedists with an interest in injury are an appropriate audience for this work … . This is an important contribution for both traumatologists and other physicians working with these patients. … This group provides an excellent overview with multidisciplinary value.” (David J. Dries, Doody’s Review Service, October, 2011)“Provides the reader with a concise and important review of treatment of high-energy injuries that occur during armed conflict. … The layout is appropriate for readers not only interested in learning about the treatment of these types of injuries but charged with the responsibility of treating these patients. … it is an excellent resource for those called on to treat such catastrophic injuries. … This important text provides a much-needed reference for readers unfortunate enough to have to deal with these types of injuries.” (Michael A. Terry, Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 307 (2), January, 2012)