AGRICULTURAL MACHINES INJURIES

O b j e c t i v e s : (1) To determine the extent of agricultural injuries in term of their site, severity, management and type ofagriculture machine. (2) To determine the techniques that can decrease the morbidity and mortality caused by agricultural injuries. S t u dyd e s i g n : Descriptive study. S e t t i n g : This study was conducted in surgical department of Allied & DHQ hospital Faisalabad. P e r i o d : January2007 to December 2007. Material a n d M e t h o d s : This descriptive study was performed in 40 consecutive patients in surgical departmentDHQ/Allied hospital Faisalabad during Jan.2007 to Dec.2007.AII people who got agricultural injuries were included. People who got traumaticinjuries other than agricultural machines were excluded. All injuries were noted with respect to the age and sex of the patient, site, size, andseverity of injury, and type of agricultural machine. Management was done accordingly. Result: Out of 40 cases, 34 [85%] were male and06[15%] were female. In 25 cases [67.5%] fodder cutter were involved. In 10 cases[25%]pinching machines [gears, belt, chain machines] wereinvolved .03 cases [7.5%]run over by machine. 02 cases [05%]by harvesting machines In 30 cases[75%]upper limb was involved. In 05 [12.5%]cases scalp injuries were noted. In 02 cases [05%] genitalia were avulsed. In 03cases [7.5%] lower limb was involved. Injuries range from simplelacerations, degloving injuries, tendons &vessels injuries &finally amputations. C o n c l u s i o n : Mostly young male population is involved inagricultural machine injuries. Morbidity of .agricultural machine injuries can be reduced by modifying design of agriculture machines, by trainingfarm workers & by their proper treatment.