Blast injury

• Published in: Current anaesthesia & critical care Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 113 - 119
• Main Authors: Horrocks, C., Brett, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2000
• Subjects: blast injuries; critical care; explosions; wounds and injuries; critical care; wounds and injuries; blast injuries; explosions
• ISSN: 0953-7112; 1532-2033
• DOI: 10.1054/cacc.2000.0260

Explosions are physical, chemical or nuclear processes that involve the rapid release of considerable amounts of energy. Their deleterious effects on living organisms are embodied by the term ‘blast injury’ Injuries caused by explosions have increased in frequency throughout this century. This has been caused in part by industrial expansion. More significant has been the proliferation of explosive weapons and their increased use worldwide. The International Committee of the Red Cross has estimated that throughout 70 countries, at least 2000 people are killed or injured every month by anti-personnel mines. The use of explosive devices by terrorist organizations has increased relentlessly, and from time to time civilian doctors are faced with the aftermath of such episodes. Furthermore, many doctors now seek experience of medicine in developing countries and an understanding of blast injury is useful. Explosions and the injuries caused by them are the subject of this review.