Injuries From Explosions: More Differences Than Similarities Between Various Types

Michael Rozenfeld, Kobi Peleg, Irina Radomislensky, Morel Ragoler, Moran Bodas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To compare injury patterns of different types of explosions. Methods: A retrospective study of 4508 patients hospitalized due to explosions recorded in the Israel National Trauma Registry between January 1997 and December 2018. The events were divided into 4 groups: terror-related, war-related, civilian intentional explosions, and civilian unintentional explosions. The groups were compared in terms of injuries sustained, utilization of hospital resources, and clinical outcomes. Results: Civilian intentional and terror-related explosions were found to be similar in most aspects except for factors directly influencing mortality and a larger volume of severely injured body regions among terror-victims. Comparisons between other groups produced some parallels, albeit less consistent. Civilian intentional explosions and civilian unintentional explosions were different from each other in most aspects. The latter group also differed from others by its high volume of life-threatening burns and a higher proportion of children casualties. Conclusions: While consistent similarities between explosion casualties exist, especially between victims of intentional civilian and terror-related explosions, the general rule is that clinical experience with a type of explosion cannot be directly transferred to other types.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere154
JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Volume17
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 6 May 2023

Keywords

  • burns
  • explosions
  • injury patterns
  • injury severity

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Injuries From Explosions: More Differences Than Similarities Between Various Types'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this