[Pathomorphological changes in abdominal viscerae in dogs subjected to underwater blast wave injury].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the pathomorphological changes in abdominal viscerae injuries produced by underwater blast waves.


METHODS
Sixty-one adult mongrel dogs were used in this study. Underwater explosions in different intensity were produced by detonating 200 g, 500 g and 1,000 g TNT, respectively. The physical parameters of blast wave were measured by PCB dynamic pressure transducers specially designed for underwater explosion. The pathomorphological changes in abdominal viscerae were observed at 6 hours after injury.


RESULTS
The physical features of underwater blast wave were characterized by high peak pressure, short positive action duration, and higher intensity of impulse. The pathomorphological observation revealed high incidence of injuries of gastrointestinal tract (62.30 percent), manifesting mainly various degrees of subserosal and submucous bleeding in gastrointestinal tract. Rupture of seromuscular layer, subserosal hematoma, and even, perforations of gastrointestinal tract occurred in some animals. Injuries of the liver, spleen, pancreas and other parenchymatous organs injuries, such as subcapsular bleeding, hematoma, and ruptures, appeared with low incidence. No obvious injuries were found in the gallbladder or urinary bladder and other fluid containing organs.


CONCLUSIONS
Underwater blast wave can induce injuries to many abdominal viscerae. Gastrointestinal tract injuries, occurring in high incidence are usually severe, and they should be given early treatment in underwater blast injuries.
Yang
Zhi-huan
ZH
Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
Zhu
Pei-fang
PF
Jiang
Jian-xin
JX
Wang
Zheng-guo
ZG
Yin
Zhi-yong
ZY
Li
Xiao-yan
XY
Ning
Xin
X
Zhou
Ji-hong
JH
Feng
Gang
G
Liu
Da-wei
DW
D000818:Animals; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D007082:Ileum / Q000473:pathology; D007101:Immersion; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D014303:Trinitrotoluene; D014781:Viscera / Q000473:pathology*
D014303:Trinitrotoluene