
pmid: 31657301
On January 9, 2018, a catastrophic debris flow devastated Montecito, California. A 30-foot wall of boulders, mud, and debris ran down the hillsides at 15 miles per hour injuring dozens and causing 21 prehospital deaths. A retrospective review was conducted of the victims from the debris flow presenting to Cottage Health. Injury patterns, procedures performed, complications, length of stay, and outcomes were analyzed. Twenty-four patients were evaluated; 15 were admitted. Of the patients admitted, the most common presenting symptoms were soft tissue injuries (100%), hypothermia (67%), craniofacial injuries (67%), corneal abrasions (53%), and orthopedic injuries (47%), as well as loss of an immediate family member during the incident (73%). Procedures included skin irrigation (93%), operative soft tissue debridement (47%), body orifice irrigation due to mud impaction (40%), and orthopedic repair of fractures and ligaments (40%). All survived to discharge. “Debris flow syndrome” can be defined as a pattern of injuries, including soft tissue injuries, hypothermia, craniofacial trauma, corneal abrasions, orthopedic injuries, and mud impaction. Managing the debris flow syndrome requires co-ordinated and specialized care.
Adult, Male, Soft Tissue Injuries, Adolescent, Hypothermia, Length of Stay, Middle Aged, Bone and Bones, California, Floods, Disasters, Child, Preschool, Humans, Female, Child, Facial Injuries, Landslides, Aged, Corneal Injuries, Retrospective Studies
Adult, Male, Soft Tissue Injuries, Adolescent, Hypothermia, Length of Stay, Middle Aged, Bone and Bones, California, Floods, Disasters, Child, Preschool, Humans, Female, Child, Facial Injuries, Landslides, Aged, Corneal Injuries, Retrospective Studies
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