- Joined
- Oct 7, 2008
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- Location
- Bulgaria
In Florida, a man fell from the bow of a boat as it turned. He passed under the boat and was struck by the propeller. He sustained multiple deep wounds over the back, gluteus, and both lower extremities. Massive bleeding occurred from multiple deep wounds with nearly complete amputation through the left thigh. Above knee amputation was completed at the time of initial debridement.
Images show his right foot with deep parallel lacerations characteristic of propeller cuts. He required four units of whole blood plus intravenous fluid resuscitation and subsequent administration of two units of packed red blood cells. Antibiotic coverage was initiated in the emergency department with an aminoglycoside and cefepime. Initial debridement included completion of the left mid-thigh amputation.
Seven surgical procedures for debridement and reconstructive procedures were required during his initial hospitalization. Eleven months following his injury he developed a superficial infection with methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) that responded to oral cephalexin. At the time of this report he has reached maximum improvement and has returned to athletic activities while using a sports-specific above knee prosthesis.
