[Translated article] Musculoskeletal injuries treated following the flood in October 2024 in Valencia, Spain

Introduction

The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the musculoskeletal injuries treated at a tertiary hospital, resulting from the sudden flooding and landslides that occurred on October 29, 2024, in the province of Valencia, Spain.

Materials and methods

A retrospective, single-center study design was employed, documenting all patients who required hospital treatment from October 29, 2024, to November 30, 2024, inclusive. Data collected included the date of treatment, delay time until rescue and evacuation, demographic information, injury location and severity, records of surgeries performed and required hospitalization time.

Results

A total of 410 hospital admissions were recorded, all of which were through the emergency department. A slight male predominance was observed (55.5%), with an average age of 48 years (range 1–97). The mean time to treatment was 1.4 days from the trauma (range 1–12), although 47% of cases exceeded 48 h. 60.1% of contusions presented with at least one associated fracture. A total of 84 wounds (20.5% of the sample) and musculoskeletal and ligament injuries (14.4%) were treated, along with joint dislocations (2.4%). The most common injury sites were the lower limbs (48.6%), followed by the upper limbs (36.7%). The majority of cases (90.5%) were managed with conservative treatment, with 9.5% requiring surgical revision. During this period, 53 hospital admissions (1.76 admissions/day) and 38 urgent surgeries were performed.

Conclusion

The flooding caused by the Valencia flood in October 2024 is considered one of the most severe environmental disasters in the history of Spain. Natural disasters affecting multiple victims demand effective and coordinated medical attention across all healthcare levels. Continuous learning for trauma specialists will provide the necessary tools for appropriate knowledge and management of such potentially severe injuries.

Level of evidence: IV. Retrospective descriptive and analytical study. Case series.