High-energy war wounds: flap reconstruction.

In this article, we emphasize that knowledge of terminal ballistics is essential for understanding the pathophysiology of war wounds. We present our own experiences in treatment of high-energy war wounds in 75 patients treated in the Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center in Zagreb. Patients were divided into three groups with regard to the time of definite reconstruction, using local or free microvascular flaps. About 12% of patients underwent flap reconstruction in the acute phase, associated with low complication rate and the shortest hospital stay. Group II was comprised by 18% of the patients and, considering the number of complications, presented the most unfavorable time for reconstruction. Flap reconstruction in the chronic phase resulted in a substantial prolongation of the hospital stay in 82% of patients. Therefore, we advocate proper primary treatment of wounds aimed at early flap closure. This type of management results in a significantly shorter hospitalization and leads to more effective rehabilitation and recovery of patients.