Treatment of patients with extremity traumas occurred during peacekeeping missions in Northern Mali

In February 2016, the camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), in Kidal, was attacked and many people were wounded and killed. This study aims to determine the nature of extremity traumas and to describe their treatment. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of extremity traumas in the victims of the attack on the camp of MINIUSMA in Kidal. The parameters studied were age, sex, admission delay, seat of the lesions and type of emergency surgical treatment performed. The study involved 60 wounded patients: 57(95%) men and 3(5%) women. The average age of patients was 28.9 years; 127 lesions were identified, of which 109 (85.8%) on the limbs. Clinical and radiological examinations revealed 32 (29.3%) musculocutaneous disruptions, 11 (10.1%) open fractures, 15 (13.7%) burns, 8 (7.3%) vascular and nervous injuries and 7 sprains. Severely wounded patients underwent resuscitation upon admission. Four of them underwent emergency surgery. The remaining wounded patients underwent surgery after restoration of hemodynamic stability with resuscitation. Six patients (10%) were transferred to a Level 3 Hospital for further treatment. Four wounded patients (6.7%) died. Extremity traumas are frequent but not life-threatening when isolated. They have a higher risk of infection and gangrene which can result in amputation.