Polytrauma with favorable outcome as the lone survivor of a helicopter crash: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: The occurrence of helicopter crashes United States is low. Orthopaedic injuries secondary to helicopter crashes often present as polytraumas with poor prognoses. Subsequent treatment of trauma after this mechanism of injury has not been well reported in the literature. Case report: We report an unusual polytrauma that occurred to a 26-year-old pregnant female, as the lone survivor in a helicopter crash. She sustained multiple orthopedic injuries including an open pilon fracture, calcaneus fracture, radial head fracture, vertebral body fractures, and lumbopelvic dissociation with upper and lower sacrum fractures further complicated by wound breakdown. Extensive intervention including pelvic and lower extremity external fixation, open reduction internal fixation, posterior lumbar interbody fusion, Ilizarov frame placement with Masquelet technique, and multiple debridements with subsequent free flap graft. Conclusion: The following case report describes the incidence of helicopter injuries and the associated orthopedic injuries that may occur. This report highlights effective management resulting in favorable outcomes including eventual independent ambulation.

Keywords

• Polytrauma
• Helicopter crash
• Aviation
• Surgical outcomes