PD-3-01-03
EXPLOSIVE INJURIES OF THE LOWER LIMBS- A SURGICAL REHABILITATIVE PROBLEM
Moris Azaria, Itzhak Ziev-Ner, Haim Ring (Sheba Hosp, Orthop. Rehab Dept., Tel Hashomer and Loewenstein Rehabilitation Ctr, Raanana, T"A Univ. Med Sch, Israel)
Lower extremity explosion injuries pose a difficult problem to the surgical and rehabilitation disciplines. Limb salvage versus primary amputation is the challenge in this situation. The medical-economic impact of the problem is enormous, specially for small countries like ours. Modern methods of fracture management, skeletal fixation, soft tissues and bone reconstruction, all have dramatically improved the potential for limb salvage. However, lack of knowledge of the parameters on which to base the decision for salvage treatment of the injured limb often causes a protracted disability with psychological as well as medical and economic implications. Among lower limb explosive injuries, those caused by anti-personal mines are the most severe and frequent ones and we shall focus on this world-wide catastrophic situation.
PD-3-01-04
LANDMINE VICTIMS AND PROSTHETICS SERVICES IN CAMBODIA
E. Tazawa (Tazawa Mfg. Co., Tokyo, Japan)
After half a century of war, Cambodia has been left with more than 12 million (estimated) landmines scattered throughout the country. Even, today, there are about 300 landmine victims every month with half that number surviving as amputees.
These amputees are provided with prosthetic care services solely by NGOs from western countries, as the government does not have the financial resources or the infrastructure in place to provide medical services which include prosthetics. The first NGO started its prosthetic activities in 1981. There are now 8 NGOs with 17 orthopedic fitting workshops, 3 component factories, one formal prosthetics educational programme (a 3-year course). These NGOs provided 6,676 prostheses and 1,387 orthoses in 1996.
