Peripheral nerve war injuries

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate peripheral nerve war in juries sustained during the war in southern Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegov ina, Patients and Methods: During the war in Croatia, 713 patients (99% mal e and 1% female) with wounds inflicted by firearms were examined at the Lab oratory of Neurophysiology, University Hospital, Split, The patients, soldi ers and civilians alike, ranged in age from 6 to 73 years (average, 28 year s), All patients with firearm nerve war injuries underwent detection by ele ctromyography and plurisegmental examination of the damaged peripheral nerv e (neurography). The patients were examined and controlled on three occasio ns: within 2 months after wounding; up to 6 months after wounding; and more than 6 months after wounding, Results: Single peripheral nerve lesions wer e present in 80% of the patients, and multiple peripheral nerve or plexus l esions were present in 20% of the patients. Peroneal and ulnar nerves were most often involved (20.9% and 19.8%, respectively). Associated massive inj uries to the muscles, large blood vessels, or vital organs were present in 45% of the patients, Wounds were inflicted by shell fragments in 80% of the patients and by projectiles in 20% of the patients. Conclusion: According to our results, better recovery was achieved with conservative treatment an d when physical therapy was initiated early with maximal patient cooperatio n. Electromyoneurographic findings were the most valid in the prognostic cl assification of mar-inflicted peripheral nerve injuries.