Criteria of Lopez and Arnholt for Definitive Repair of Facial Fractures in a War Theater

Description

Lopez and Arnholt evaluated definitive repair of facial fractures of soldiers wounded in Iraq. They outlined criteria for deciding when and when not to definitively repair the fractures. The authors are from Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio.

Goals:

(1) not to make unnecessary incisions

(2) not to delay evacuation if evacuation needed

(3) keep the soldier in the war zone if possible

Parameters:

(1) fracture(s) exposed by a soft tissue wound or during immediate surgery

(2) soldier needs to be evacuated

(3) definitive surgery would delay evacuation

Fracture Exposed	Being Evacuated	Delay Evacuation	Management
yes	no	NA	Repair
yes	yes	no	Repair
yes	yes	yes	Do not repair.
no	no	NA	Repair
no	yes	no	Do not repair
no	yes	yes	Do not repair

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10