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We have reviewed 75 amputees, 58 in the lower limb and 18 in the upper. Closed amputation was performed in 69 patients (92%) and an open procedure in six (8%). Wound infection occurred in six (8%) and one patient died from thromboembolism. Wound healing was normal in the remainder. The results of closed amputation in war conditions are very good, if performed within 6 hours of injury.

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We present a case of a war patient treated with external fixation for a complex land mine injury involving the fracture of the tibial and fibular bones, which occurred at the front line during the war in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Excessive destruction and foreign body penetration into the distal two-thirds of the right leg and foot endangered not only the patient's lower extremity but his life as well. Nevertheless, the patient's life, as well as extremity, was saved due to an intensive treatment. A 100-month follow-up showed a bridge callus between the tibia and fibula, tibial bone defects, tibial anterior angulation of 5 degrees, and arthrosis of the right upper ankle joint. Despite a relatively unsatisfactory X-ray finding, the functional testing on the dynamometry system Cybex 300 showed surprisingly good results. There was a satisfactory functional recovery of the treated extremity: the patient could walk without any help even on rocky grounds and was actively involved in his sheep farm duties.

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