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Kobeissi E, Menassa M, Honein-AbouHaidar G, El Achi N, Abdul-Sater Z, Farhat T, Al Mohtar D, Hajjar M, Abdul-Khalek RA, Chaya BF, Elamine A, Hettiaratchy S, Abu-Sittah G. Long-term burden of war injuries among civilians in LMICs: case of the July 2006 war in Lebanon. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1305021. [PMID: 38145076 PMCID: PMC10748398 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1305021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Lebanon, a country located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the world's smaller sovereign states. In the past few decades, Lebanon endured a perpetual political turmoil and several armed conflicts. July 12, 2006, marked the start of a one-month war in Lebanon, which resulted in thousands of casualties. Little is known about the long-term consequences of war injuries inflicted on civilians during the July 2006 war. Methods The objectives of this paper were to identify and evaluate: 1- civilians' access to healthcare and medicine under conditions of war; 2- the long-term socioeconomic burden on injured civilians; and 3- their quality of life more than a decade post-war. We adopted a mixed-method research design with an emphasis on the qualitative component. We conducted interviews with patients, collected clinical and financial data from hospital medical records, and administered a self-rated health questionnaire, the EQ-5D-5L. Simple descriptive statistics were calculated using Excel. NVivo 12® was used for data management and thematic analysis. Results We conducted 25 interviews. Injured civilians were mostly males, average age of 27. The most common mechanism of injury was blast injury. Most patients underwent multiple surgeries as well as revision surgeries. The thematic analysis revealed three themes: 1- recall of the time of the incident, the thousand miles journey, and patients' access to services; 2- post-trauma sequelae and services; and 3- long-term impact. Patients described the long-term burden including chronic pain, poor mobility, anxiety or depression, and limited activities of daily living. Discussion Civilians injured during the July 2006 war described the traumatising events they endured during the war and the limited access to medical care during and post-war. Up until this study was conducted, affected civilians were still experiencing physical, psychological, and financial sequelae. Acknowledging the limitations of this study, which include a small sample size and recall bias, the findings underscore the necessity for the expansion of services catering to civilians injured during wartime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Kobeissi
- Conflict Medicine Program, Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marilyne Menassa
- Conflict Medicine Program, Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Gladys Honein-AbouHaidar
- Refugee Health Program, Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Hariri School of Nursing, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nassim El Achi
- Conflict Medicine Program, Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahi Abdul-Sater
- Conflict Medicine Program, Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Theresa Farhat
- Conflict Medicine Program, Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Dalia Al Mohtar
- Conflict Medicine Program, Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwan Hajjar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Bachar F. Chaya
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ahmad Elamine
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Shehan Hettiaratchy
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ghassan Abu-Sittah
- Conflict Medicine Program, Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Berger LE, Shin S, Haffner ZK, Huffman SS, Spoer DL, Sayyed AA, Franzoni G, Bekeny JC, Attinger CE, Kleiber GM. The application of targeted muscle reinnervation in lower extremity amputations: A systematic review. Microsurgery 2023; 43:736-747. [PMID: 36864779 DOI: 10.1002/micr.31030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a promising surgical modality for reducing post-amputation pain. We sought to provide a succinct overview of TMR specific to the lower extremity (LE) amputation population. METHODS A systematic review was performed per PRISMA guidelines. Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science were queried for records using various combinations of Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms such as "LE "amputation," "below-knee amputation" (BKA), "above-knee amputation" (AKA), and "TMR." Primary outcomes included (1) operative techniques, (2) changes in neuroma, phantom limb pain (PLP), or residual limb pain (RLP), and (3) postoperative complications. Studies were only included if outcomes data were discretely provided for LE patients. RESULTS Eleven articles examining 318 patients were identified. Average patient age was 47.5 ± 9.3 years, and most patients were male (n = 246, 77.4%). Eight manuscripts (72.7%) described TMR at the index amputation. The average number of nerve transfers performed per TMR case was 2.1 ± 0.8, and the most commonly employed nerve was the tibial (178/498; 35.7%). Nine (81.8%) articles incorporated patient-reported outcomes after TMR, with common methods including the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and questionnaires. Four studies (33.3%) reported functional outcomes such as ambulation ability and prosthesis tolerance. Complications were described in seven manuscripts (58.3%), with postoperative neuroma development being the most common (21/371; 7.2%). CONCLUSIONS The application of TMR to LE amputations is effective in reducing PLP and RLP with limited complications. Continued investigations are warranted to better understand patient outcomes specific to anatomic location using validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Berger
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Stephanie Shin
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Zoë K Haffner
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Samuel S Huffman
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Daisy L Spoer
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Adaah A Sayyed
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Garrett Franzoni
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Jenna C Bekeny
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Christopher E Attinger
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Grant M Kleiber
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
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Runyan H, Herbert L, Knight J, Todd S, Washington L, Thompson MO. Lived Experiences of Combat-Related Amputees: A Phenomenological Study. Journal of Loss and Trauma 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2022.2129839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Runyan
- Counseling Department, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
| | - Linda Herbert
- Counseling Department, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
| | - Jasmine Knight
- Counseling Department, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
| | - Sherry Todd
- Clinical Counseling Department, University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Kentucky, USA
| | - Lesley Washington
- Counseling Department, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
| | - Megan O. Thompson
- Counseling Department, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
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Testa S, Fornetti E, Fuoco C, Sanchez-Riera C, Rizzo F, Ciccotti M, Cannata S, Sciarra T, Gargioli C. The War after War: Volumetric Muscle Loss Incidence, Implication, Current Therapies and Emerging Reconstructive Strategies, a Comprehensive Review. Biomedicines 2021; 9:564. [PMID: 34069964 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is the massive wasting of skeletal muscle tissue due to traumatic events or surgical ablation. This pathological condition exceeds the physiological healing process carried out by the muscle itself, which owns remarkable capacity to restore damages but only when limited in dimensions. Upon VML occurring, the affected area is severely compromised, heavily influencing the affected a person’s quality of life. Overall, this condition is often associated with chronic disability, which makes the return to duty of highly specialized professional figures (e.g., military personnel or athletes) almost impossible. The actual treatment for VML is based on surgical conservative treatment followed by physical exercise; nevertheless, the results, in terms of either lost mass and/or functionality recovery, are still poor. On the other hand, the efforts of the scientific community are focusing on reconstructive therapy aiming at muscular tissue void volume replenishment by exploiting biomimetic matrix or artificial tissue implantation. Reconstructing strategies represent a valid option to build new muscular tissue not only to recover damaged muscles, but also to better socket prosthesis in terms of anchorage surfaces and reinnervation substrates for reconstructed mass.
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Cruz Silva J, Constâncio Oliveira V, Lima P, Correia M, Moreira M, Anacleto G. Change in Domains that Influence Quality of Life after Major Lower Limb Amputation in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease. Ann Vasc Surg 2021; 75:179-88. [PMID: 33556531 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.01.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent guidelines raise the concept of the importance of health-related quality of life (QoL). Change in QoL after amputation in ischemic patients is not well described. We aim to evaluate the change in quality of life after major limb amputation in patients with peripheral arterial disease. METHODS We retrospectively identified all patients submitted to above-knee amputation (AKA) and below-knee amputation in our vascular surgery department in a 2-year period. Trauma excluded. A vascular amputee adapted QoL questionnaire was administered comparing the last 2 weeks to the 2 weeks before amputation. It included subjective and objective questions adapted from WHOQoL-BREEF and SF-36 divided into specific domains of QoL (physical health, role physical, pain, social, and psychological health) that were compared to 2 global items (overall QoL and general health). Independent samples tests and linear correlations were calculated. RESULTS A total of 106 patients were included, 30-day mortality rate 16.3% and 1-year 39.1%. Patients had an increase in mean total score after amputation of 14.35 out of 100 points, with an improvement of 52.1 points in pain and 11 points in social and psychological health out of 100 (P<0.001). Physical health and role physical scores decreased after amputation. Overall QoL was correlated with total score (P<0.001). Mean QoL total score after amputation was 79.0% ± 12.6. In general, amputees scored higher in the domains social and psychological health. Older people, women, AKA and bilateral amputees had lower physical health scores (P<0.05), prosthesis was correlated with improvement in physical health after amputation (P = 0.026). Elderly and married people had big improvement in overall QoL after amputation (P = 0.008 and P = 0.056, respectively). CONCLUSIONS QoL does not seem to diminish in advanced ischemic patients after amputation. Older people value more a decrease in pain and family support over physical health. Therefore, patient oriented treatments should be preferred. Future research should be made to validate a disease-specific questionnaire for this population.
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Greenhalgh M, Kulich H, Blaauw E, Turner R, Peterson S, Cooper RA, Songer T. Health Outcomes Used to Determine Facets of Health-related Quality of Life for Post-9/11 Veterans Using Assistive Technology for A Combat-related Mobility Impairment: A Literature Review. Mil Med 2021; 186:1106-1114. [PMID: 33538791 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Novel rehabilitation methods, including distribution and adoption of assistive technology for lower extremity impairments, are becoming crucial to ensure positive quality of life in all individuals. The quality of life of post-9/11 combat veterans is not well understood, in comparison to research on other populations. The following essay describes a review on health outcomes used to determine health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among combat-injured service members who require mobility-related assistive technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Reviews pooled data from research on PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO published after September 11, 2001, and included service members who sustained a mobility impairment because of involvement in a post-9/11 combat operation. Basic descriptors were extracted in addition to health outcomes used, which were then categorized and summarized by six domains for HR-QoL as defined by the World Health Organization. RESULTS This review found health outcomes that fit in the pain and discomfort, negative emotions, mobility, social relations, access to and quality of healthcare services, and religious/spiritual/personal beliefs subdomains. The categorized results detailed their application to track and model HR-QoL health states in those with mobility impairments using mobility-based assistive technology. CONCLUSIONS The research on combat-induced mobility impairments indicates assistive technology improves otherwise poor health states. The results model these domains and subdomains to determine overall HR-QoL and the quality of a healthcare intervention, though additional research is needed as only one study was identified to be experimental in design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Greenhalgh
- Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.,School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Hailee Kulich
- Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.,School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Eline Blaauw
- Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
| | - Rose Turner
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.,Health Sciences Library, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Sara Peterson
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.,Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
| | - Rory A Cooper
- Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.,School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Thomas Songer
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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