Units: US SI

Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS Score)

Limb Ischemia for >6 Hours? Yes Limb Ischemia Points x2
Limb Ischemia Reduced Pulse but Normal Perfusion +1
Pulseless, Paresthesias, Slow Capillary Refill +2
Cool, Paralysis, Numb/Insensate +3
Patient Age Range >30 years old 0
30-50 years old +1
50 years old +2
Shock SBP > 90 Consistently 0
Hypotension Transiently +1
Persistent Hypotension+2
Injury Mechanism Low Energy (stab, gunshot, simple fracture) +1
Medium Energy (dislocation, open/multiple fractures) +2
High Energy (high speed MVA or rifle shot) +3
Very High Energy (high speed trauma with gross contamination) +4
MESS Score points
A score >7 predicts a low likelihood of limb/extremity viability.

Posted in: Orthopedics • Surgery

Equations

Scores