GENITOURINARY INJURIES DURING WAR AGAINST TERROR: A SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Objective: To compare our experience of genitourinary injuries during the war against terrorism with the record of those in previous wars of the World. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Urology department, Combined Military Hospital Peshawar, from Jun 2011 to Aug 2014. Methodology: We treated 89 (5.6%) cases of genitourinary injuries received in our tertiary care hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The hospital was located at a distance of 2-3 hours of evacuation time by helicopter from the forward operational area. Results: The frequency of genitourinary injuries among 1589 war casualties was (5.6%). Out of these 49 (55%) were due to sniper shots and 40 (45%) due to improvised explosive device. Kidney was the most common organ injured 30 (33.7%), followed by bladder 20 (22.5%) and urethra 14 (15.7%). Majority of renal and bladder injuries were afflicted in those soldiers who were not wearing the protective jackets. Associated injuries to other organs were identified in 81% cases. Salvage of all genitourinary organs was the aim; however, nephrectomy and orchiectomy had to be performed in 30% and 50% respectively. Conclusion: Salvage of genitourinary war injuries poses a challenge to the trauma surgeon as lifesaving measures take precedence over organ preservation. Renal trauma in war was found to be the leading critical genitourinary injury.

Keywords

• genitourinary
• injuries
• management
• war