Injuries caused by anti-personal landmines and unexploded munitions, Hospital Universitario de Neiva 2005-2009

Abstract

Colombia  has  experienced  a  prolonged  internal  armed conflict for about five  decades.  The  military actions  have been characterized by high degradation in the way of acting of  the  different  armed  groups,  causing  great  impact  on morbidity  and  mortality  of  the  civilian  population  and combatants. A quantitative, descriptive,  retrospective case series study was  conducted  in  order to  establish  the characteristics  of injuries  in  people  affected  by  anti-personall  and  mines (APLM)  and  unexploded  munitions  (UXM)  who  were surgically treated at University Hospital of Neiva, between the  years  2005-2009.  41  people  injured  by  APLM-UXM were chosen by checking records of pathology and medical histories.  Among  the  findings  it  was  found  that  most  of those  affected  by  APML-UXM  are  young  military  men, whose  lower limbs  are the  most affected. All  of the  injured  people  underwent  surgical  amputation of  the  affected  limb,  and  more  than  halfof  them  began rehabilitation with the adaptation of a prosthesis. This public health  problems  hows  the  degradation  of  the  armed conflict,  with  greatimpact  on  the  rural  population  and deservesen  forcing  the  treaty  to  banthese  weapons.  It  is necessa ry  to  make  emphasis  on  prevention  and educational  programs  in  risky  areas,  whilea  negotiated solution  to the internal  armed  conflict is sought.