A Prospective Study of the Outcome of Patients with Limb Trauma following the Haitian Earthquake in 2010 at One- and Two- Year (The SuTra2 Study)

Background Severe limb trauma is common in earthquake survivors. Overall medium term outcomes and patient-perceived outcomes are poorly documented. Methods and Findings The prospective study SuTra2 assessed the functional and socio-economic status of a cohort of patients undergoing surgery for limb injury resulting in amputation (A) or limb preservation (LP) one year and two years after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. 305 patients [A: n=199 (65%), LP: n=106 (35%)] were evaluated. Their characteristics were: 57% female; mean age 31 years; 74% of principal injuries involved the lower limb; 46% of patients had an additional severe injury; 60% had fractures, of which two-thirds were compound or associated with severe soft tissue damage; 15% of amputations were traumatic. At 2 years, 51% of patients were satisfied with the functional outcome (A: 52%, LP: 49%, ns). Comparison with the 1-year status indicates a worsening of the perceived functional status, significantly more pronounced in amputees, and an increase in pain complaints, mainly in amputees (62% and 80% of pain in overall population at 1- and 2-year respectively). Twenty eight percent (28%) of LP and 66% of A considered themselves as “cured”. 100% of LP and 79% of A would have chosen a conservative approach if an amputation was medically avoidable. Two years after the earthquake, 23·5 % of patients were still living in a tent, 30% were working, and 25·5% needed ongoing surgical management. Conclusions Only half the patients with severe limb injuries, whether managed with amputation or limb preservation, deemed their functional status satisfactory at 2 years. The patients’ perspective, clearly favors limb conservative management whenever possible. Prolonged care and rehabilitation are needed to optimize the outcome for earthquake survivors with limb injuries. Humanitarian respondents to catastrophes have professional and ethical obligations to provide optimal immediate care and ensure scrupulous attention to long-term management. Keywords Haiti earthquake, limb injury, two-year outcome, patients’ perspective, amputation, limb salvage