Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

Bilateral upper limb amputation results in enormous disabilities in daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, toileting, feeding, hygiene, and use of instruments or vehicles. In a cross sectional study, 103 war-related bilateral upper limb amputees were evaluated. Demographic data and injury information as age, sex, date of injury, cause of injury, level of limb amputation and concurrent injuries to other parts of the body were recorded using a special questionnaire. 102 patients were men average age of the amputees at follow up time was 37.5 ± 10.0 years (range: 15 - 82 y/o). More than half of the amputees (61.4%) were younger than 20 years old when injured. 52.2% of the amputations were at finger or wrist level, 40.2 at elbow level and the rest had at least one amputated arm (7.9%). Landmines and Unexploded ordnances (UXOs) were responsible for 69% of the amputations artillery shells (6%), mortar (13%) or rocket shells (6%) were other important reasons for disability. 36.6% of amputations occurred after cease fire in 1989 Injury of head and face reported in 41.7% of the amputees, and injuries in eyes, ears and trunk observed in 67%, 54.4% and 52.2% respectively. During peace, landmines and UXOs are primary reasons for simultaneous disabilities in countries with history of a recent war.