Hand Grenade Blast Injuries: An Experience in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

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Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Hand Grenade Blast Injuries: An Experience in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:

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Author:

Tuan Hairulnizam Tuan Kamauzaman, Rashidi Ahmad, Kursi Abdul Latif, Mohd Saharuddin Shah Che Hamzah, Cheah Phee Kheng


The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:

(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)

Full text available for: Hand Grenade Blast Injuries: An Experience in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Year: 2007

Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Hand grenade explosions are rare occurrences in the local community, often depicted through news media rather than personal experience. This report highlights two cases of bomb blast injuries that took place in an army camp in September 2000. The study aims to illustrate the clinical presentations associated with these injuries, which can involve multiple organ systems, and to share the management experiences encountered in a busy emergency department. It also discusses the complexities involved in treating blast injuries and the management of mass casualties.

Mechanisms of Blast Injury

Explosions can lead to various injury patterns affecting multiple organ systems. Hand grenade blasts cause injuries categorized into four primary mechanisms: primary blast injuries result from the shock wave and predominantly affect hollow organs like the lungs and gastrointestinal tract, leading to complications such as barotrauma; secondary blast injuries occur from shrapnel hitting the body; tertiary injuries involve victims being propelled into objects; and quaternary injuries include miscellaneous harm such as thermal burns. In the two reported cases, the first soldier experienced pulmonary and intestinal barotraumas due to the blast overpressure, while the second soldier suffered multiple penetrating injuries due to shrapnel. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for emergency medical personnel to enhance patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Managing bomb blast injuries presents substantial challenges due to their multifaceted nature, which often includes a combination of blunt, penetrating, and thermal traumas. Effective treatment requires a coordinated approach among healthcare providers, including emergency physicians, surgeons, and anesthesiologists. These cases exemplify the importance of a well-prepared emergency medical response to potential mass casualty incidents. As such, healthcare systems should prioritize training and protocols to ensure efficient care for blast injury victims, thus optimizing recovery chances and potentially saving lives in similar future scenarios.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What are the main mechanisms of blast injuries from explosions?

Blast injuries include primary (shock wave), secondary (flying debris), tertiary (being thrown), and quaternary (miscellaneous) injuries. These can cause internal damage, penetrating injuries, and other trauma depending on the explosion's context.

What challenges arise in managing blast injury victims in hospitals?

Managing blast injury victims is complex and time-consuming, requiring coordination across surgical disciplines, extensive imaging, and triage protocols to effectively address the varied injuries resulting from explosions.

What were the outcomes for the two case studies reported?

The first army personnel survived after extensive surgery and ICU care, while the second suffered severe injuries and sadly succumbed to multiple organ failure after a week in the hospital.

How should emergency services prepare for mass casualty incidents?

Emergency services should have plans and training in place for mass casualties, emphasizing teamwork and efficient triage to manage multiple injuries effectively during bomb blast incidents.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Hand Grenade Blast Injuries: An Experience in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Hand:
The term 'Hand' refers to the injuries sustained in the right hand of the second soldier in the described cases. This injury included severe trauma leading to amputated fingers. The nature of hand injuries often complicates both surgical and rehabilitation outcomes, emphasizing the need for specialized care in such cases.

2) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the overall field of health care involved in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and injuries. In the context of the article, it highlights the importance of medical intervention in managing complex blast injuries arising from grenade explosions, which often require a multidisciplinary approach for effective treatment.

3) Blood:
Blood is significant in the context of trauma, particularly in the discussion of hemothorax suffered by the first patient, where approximately 200 ml of blood was drained. This loss underscores the critical nature of managing hemorrhage in emergency medicine, as blood volume and pressure are pivotal for patient survival.

4) Study (Studying):
Study refers to the analysis and documentation of the two cases of grenade blast injuries presented in the article. It emphasizes the learning aspect of medical practice regarding how such traumatic events are managed and how outcomes can be improved through shared experiences and protocols within emergency medicine.

5) Flying:
Flying relates to tertiary blast injuries where victims are propelled through the air due to the force of an explosion. This mechanism leads to additional injuries as individuals strike objects upon landing. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for medical teams in anticipating the potential injury patterns resulting from explosions.

6) Edema (Oedema):
Edema is a condition that signifies the accumulation of fluid, often discussed in relation to cerebral edema observed in the second patient's post-operative course. This complication necessitates careful monitoring and management in trauma patients to prevent further neurological deficits and to ensure optimal recovery.

7) Pulse:
Pulse refers to the measurement of heart rate, which is crucial in assessing a patient’s hemodynamic stability post-injury. The documented vital signs, including pulse rate of the soldiers, provide immediate insights into their cardiovascular status following the traumatic events, guiding initial resuscitative efforts.

8) Death:
Death is the tragic outcome faced by one of the soldiers due to multiple organ failure stemming from severe blast injuries. This underscores the gravity of bomb blast injuries, indicating that timely and effective management is crucial in trauma situations to prevent fatalities.

9) Training:
Training is significant as the grenade explosion incident occurred during a training exercise for army personnel. This context highlights the risks associated with military training activities, necessitating stringent safety protocols to prevent similar tragic accidents during operational drills.

10) Disease:
Disease, while indirectly mentioned, refers to the outcomes linked with the trauma experienced by the soldiers. Effective management in emergency medicine aims to prevent diseases related to complications from physical injuries, necessitating comprehensive care in trauma situations to minimize long-term health issues.

11) Soldier:
Soldier refers to the military personnel who were directly involved in the grenade explosion incident. Their injuries and subsequent medical management exemplify the unique challenges faced by healthcare providers when treating combat-related injuries in a civilian medical setting.

12) Family:
Family denotes the support system for injured soldiers, which is crucial during the recovery process. Understanding the family dynamics and emotional toll on families impacted by traumatic injuries is essential for holistic care in trauma medicine.

13) Repair:
Repair highlights the surgical interventions performed on the injured soldiers, such as those needed for their stomach and gall bladder. It emphasizes the importance of surgical expertise and planning in successfully managing complex trauma cases with multiple internal injuries.

14) Police:
Police may be involved in emergency situations to provide assistance or secure the area after an explosion. Their role is essential in facilitating a smooth rescue and medical response to casualties and ensuring safety during chaotic circumstances following a blast.

15) Bharu (Bhāru):
Bharu specifically refers to Kota Bharu, the location of the medical center where the injured soldiers were treated. Geographic context is important in understanding the availability of medical resources and the dynamics of trauma care in specific regions, especially in military communities.

16) Arrow:
Arrow, in figure descriptions, is used to indicate specific findings on medical imaging, such as shrapnel. This visual cue assists in the diagnosis and surgical planning, highlighting how precise identification of injuries is crucial in addressing trauma from explosives.

17) Field:
Field refers to the training environment where the grenade explosion occurred. This setting is significant as it illustrates the immediate circumstances of the trauma, further emphasizing the need for safety protocols in military training to prevent such incidents.

18) Kota (Koṭa):
Kota, as part of Kota Bharu, again underscores the location specifics tied to the case studies. Recognizing the local context helps in understanding regional healthcare capabilities and responses to traumatic events, which can differ significantly based on location.

19) Life:
Life symbolizes the vital importance of medical interventions in trauma cases, directly represented by the patients’ survival. The successes and failures in treatment directly impact the lives of injured individuals and necessitate ongoing evaluation of practices and protocols in emergency medicine.

20) Sign:
Sign refers to clinical signs observed during the assessment of patients, such as vital signs or visible physical injuries. Clinicians depend on these signs to determine the severity of injuries and to prioritize treatments effectively in emergency situations.

21) Wall:
Wall could reference the structural context within which grenade injuries occur, particularly during blasts. In medical discussions, it might symbolize barriers faced by medical personnel in effectively treating伤Casualities when dealing with mass trauma situations.

22) Fire:
Fire may relate to the secondary effects of explosions, such as burns or the destruction of property, as well as the psychological stressors experienced by victims and responders. Understanding these risks is vital for comprehensive planning and response in trauma care.

23) Wind:
Wind pertains to the blast wind resulting from the explosion, causing secondary injuries to victims. Awareness of the effects of blast wind is crucial for medical teams in understanding the full spectrum of blast-related injuries and implementing appropriate care strategies.

24) Burning (Burn, Burned, Burnt):
Burn addresses potential thermal injuries that can occur during explosions. While not explicitly mentioned in the case studies, the risk of burns from the explosion highlights the complex nature of blast injury management and the need for preparedness for various injury types.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Hand Grenade Blast Injuries: An Experience in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Foreign body, Clinical presentation, Mortality Rate, Intensive care unit, Medical management, CT abdomen, Chest Examination, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Surgical discipline, Multiple organ failure, Emergency Department, Mass casualty management, Diabetes insipidus, GC, Subdural hematoma, CT Brain, Surgical Team, Medical Assistance, Radiographic Imaging, Emergency Medical Service.

Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.

Open space, Army camp, Army personnel.

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