MESS (Mangled Extremity Severity Score)

The Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) is a medical tool used by healthcare professionals to assess the severity of severe limb injuries, especially those involving extensive damage to bones, blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissue. By evaluating factors like the level of tissue damage, blood flow, bone injury, and the patient’s overall health, MESS helps determine whether a limb can be saved or if amputation might be necessary. It provides a standardized way to guide treatment decisions in complex trauma cases, aiming to balance the potential benefits of limb salvage against the risks and costs of attempting to save the limb.