A Statistical Observation on Gentio-Urinary Tract Injuries of Korean Army in Vietnam War

Kim, Soo Chang

Abstract

A statistical observation was made on Genito-Urinary-tract injuries of Korean Army Personnels in Vietnam War during the period of September, 1965 to September, 1970. and the following results were obtained. 1. The Genito-Urinary-tract injuries were 128 cases (5.1 per cent) among 2493 war casualities. 2. As for the causes of injuries, 72 cases (56.2 per cent) were caused by gunshot, 28 (21.8 per cent) by boobytrap, 15 (11.7 per cent) by crush, and 5 (3.9 per cent) by grenade. 3. Concerning the frequency of injuries in each organ, 33 cases (25.0 per cent) were observed in bladder, 30 (23. 4 per cent) in urethra, 28 (21.8 per cent) in kidney, 27 (21.0 per cent) in scrotum and testis, 5 (3.9 per cent) in penis, 4 (3.1 per cent) in ureter, and 1 (0.7 per cent) in prostate. 4. The incidence of Genito-Urinary-tract injuries associated with the other organs was as follows. In kidney injuries, 9 cases were associated with intestine, 8 with liver, 8 with spleen, and one each with radial nerve and iliac vessel. In ureter injuries, 4 cases were associated with intestine. In bladder injuries, 7 cases were associated with intestine, 1 with spleen, 15 with pelvic bone, 3 with femur, one each with head and foot. In urethral injuries, 4 cases were associated with intestine, 13 with pelvic bone, 6 with femur, and one with head. In penis injuries, one case was associated with pelvic bone, and 2 with femur. In scrotum and testis injuries, one case was associated with intestine, 8 with pelvic bone, 7 with femur, and one each which head and foot. In prostate injury, one case was associated with intestine. 5. As for the multiplicity of Genito-Urinary-tract injuries, 9 cases were observed in scrotum, testis and urethra, 3 in scrotum, testis and penis, 3 in bladder and urethra, 1 in bladder and prostate. 6. The evacuation time from battle fields to the evacuation hospital was one hour in average by helicopter.