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Chirurgia Del Piede 2000 September;24(3):203-8

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Acute treatment of foot injuries in multiple trauma

Napoli V.

Accident pathology is of primary social importance because it now represents the fifth cause of death, and the first in Italy for the under 40-year-old population. Assistance for patients with multiple injuries must be rapid in order to minimise mortality and morbidity. A scale of priority is used involving a preliminary level at which basic life-saving (BLS) measures are taken, and a second level at which surgical procedures are also undertaken to treat those injuries that may be lifethreatening or cause disabling sequelae. The treatment of foot injuries at the second level involves the same priority of treatment as other bone segments and, whenever possible, should not be postponed owing to the risk of causing disabilities that are certainly more difficult to treat than the basic injury, thus delaying the patient's overall recovery.