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Pattern of Injuries and Treatment Given to Victims of Rana Plaza Tragedy in a Level II Armed Forces Medical Facility in Bangladesh

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2016

Shafiul Alam ,
Rabiul Alam ,
Manirul Islam  and
Amin Salek
Shafiul Alam
Affiliation:
Department of Urology, Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Rabiul Alam*
Affiliation:
Department of Anesthesia, Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Manirul Islam
Affiliation:
International Center for Cholera & Diarrhoeal Diseases, Bangladesh.
Amin Salek
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Rabiul Alam, Department of Anesthesia, Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka Cantonment, zip code-1206, Bangladesh (e-mail: rabiuldr@gmail.com).
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Abstract

Background

Rana Plaza building collapse is the worst industrial disaster of Bangladesh so far. The 9-storied structure collapsed suddenly on April 24, 2013, with more than 4000 people inside. Bangladesh Armed Forces played a key role in the massive rescue operations.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 423 victims who were treated at a Combined Military Hospital to review the pattern of injuries and management provided.

Results

Middle-aged (35±12.75 years) females (68.32%) were the majority of the victims. Among the injured, 42.35% had soft tissue injury, 22.55% had abrasions, 18.79% had fractures, 3.75% had facial injuries, and 2.5% each had head and abdominal injuries. We treated the injured with various surgical approaches, such as soft tissue debridement (38.84%), fasciotomy (18.79%), amputation (3.75%), and other procedures. We had to refer 8.27% of the patients to different advanced centers. The mortality rate was 5.91%, including 1 volunteer rescuer.

Conclusion

Pattern of injuries and modalities of management needed in an industrial disaster is a valuable experience which can be utilized in preparing to face disasters in the future and beyond. Death of a voluntary rescuer once again warrants the necessity of using a helmet and safety gear during any rescue operation. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:21–24)

Keywords

mass casualty incidentsstructure collapsewounds and injuriesmilitary medicine
Type
Report from the Field
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , February 2017 , pp. 21 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

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