Analysis of traumatic injuries among civilian casualties as a result of modern hostilities

Background. Analysis of medical care for civilian patients with injuries due to modern hostilities indicated the existence of problems in the formation of the medical system in providing trauma care to them not only in Ukraine, but also in developed countries. The aim of our study was to characterize civilian victims with traumatic injuries sustained as a result of modern hostilities in Ukraine. Materials and methods. We analyzed traumatic injuries to the bones of the skeleton in 337 civilian patients who sustained them during modern hostilities in Ukraine and were treated in healthcare facilities in the frontline zone in 2014–2024. The total study population was divided into victims with traumatic injuries sustained in 2014–2021 during the ATO/JFO (group 1, n = 168) and in 2022–2024 during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (group 2, n = 169). Results. Damage to the upper limb girdle in patients in the first group was 40.4 % of the mass, and in the second group — 24.2 %. Traumatic injuries to the pelvis, thigh, lower leg and foot in total accounted for 56.5 % in the first group, while in the second group, they were recorded in 70.4 %. As can be seen from our analysis, during the full-scale invasion of 2022, traumatic injuries to the lower limb and pelvis significantly increased. Among the reasons for this, we name the widespread use of anti-personnel mines by the occupiers on the territory of Ukraine. Another cardinal reason for the significant increase in traumatic injuries to the lower limb girdle are rocket attacks and bombings of civilians, which have been carried out daily over the past 3 years. Conclusions. Analysis of the distribution of traumatic injuries among civilian patients affected by modern hostilities indicated significant changes associated with differences in injury mechanisms and intensity of hostilities, which caused changes in the structure of injuries.