WAR INJURIES DURING THE GULF-WAR - EXPERIENCE OF A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN KUWAIT

The war injuries of 361 patients admitted to Mubarak Al-Kabeer Teachin g Hospital, during the Gulf War are reported. More abdominal and chest injuries were seen in this series in comparison with other conflicts owing to the short evacuation time. Of the injuries, 54% were caused b y gunshots, 34% were fragment injuries and 5.5% were glass and stab in juries. Civilians accounted for 50% of the injured. Wound infection ra te was 7%, average hospital stay was 8.8 days and hospital mortality w as 5.5%. We advocate radical wound excision, exploration of penetratin g wounds of neck and abdomen, and mainly conservative management of ch est injuries that do not involve the mediastinum.