Debris Flow Syndrome: Injuries and Outcomes after the Montecito Debris Flow

Am Surg. 2019 Oct 1;85(10):1094-1098.

Abstract

On January 9, 2018, a catastrophic debris flow devastated Montecito, California. A 30-foot wall of boulders, mud, and debris ran down the hillsides at 15 miles per hour injuring dozens and causing 21 prehospital deaths. A retrospective review was conducted of the victims from the debris flow presenting to Cottage Health. Injury patterns, procedures performed, complications, length of stay, and outcomes were analyzed. Twenty-four patients were evaluated; 15 were admitted. Of the patients admitted, the most common presenting symptoms were soft tissue injuries (100%), hypothermia (67%), craniofacial injuries (67%), corneal abrasions (53%), and orthopedic injuries (47%), as well as loss of an immediate family member during the incident (73%). Procedures included skin irrigation (93%), operative soft tissue debridement (47%), body orifice irrigation due to mud impaction (40%), and orthopedic repair of fractures and ligaments (40%). All survived to discharge. "Debris flow syndrome" can be defined as a pattern of injuries, including soft tissue injuries, hypothermia, craniofacial trauma, corneal abrasions, orthopedic injuries, and mud impaction. Managing the debris flow syndrome requires co-ordinated and specialized care.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bone and Bones / injuries*
  • California / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Corneal Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Corneal Injuries / etiology
  • Corneal Injuries / surgery
  • Disasters / statistics & numerical data*
  • Facial Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Facial Injuries / etiology
  • Facial Injuries / surgery
  • Female
  • Floods / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia / epidemiology*
  • Hypothermia / etiology
  • Landslides / statistics & numerical data*
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Soft Tissue Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Soft Tissue Injuries / etiology
  • Soft Tissue Injuries / surgery
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / statistics & numerical data
  • Syndrome
  • Young Adult