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- Title
Debris Flow Syndrome: Injuries and Outcomes after the Montecito Debris Flow.
- Authors
LANGDON, SARAH; JOHNSON, ARIANNE; SHARMA, ROHIT
- Abstract
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.
- Subjects
MONTECITO (Calif.); SOFT tissue injuries; WOUNDS &; injuries; SYNDROMES; LENGTH of stay in hospitals; BRUISES
- Publication
American Surgeon, 2019, Vol 85, Issue 10, p1094
- ISSN
0003-1348
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1177/000313481908501004