title: Mine Blast Injuries - Our Experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The sudden increase in incidence and magnitude of mine blast injuries prompted us to highlight the problem and its management.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cases of mine blast injuries occurring during mining and demining in a particular geographical area were analysed. Total 27 cases of mine blast injuries occurred during mining or demining operations in a period of 13 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Various body regions were involved in the mine blast injuries but the main brunt was borne by feet and legs followed by multiple body regions due to splinters. 14 patients underwent below knee (BK) amputation while 4 patients required through knee (TK) amputations. The effect of blast was so severe that most of the cases required 2 to 5 times wound debridements. The initial aggressive debridement / open stump amputation saved the limb and life of all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A mine blast causes extensive injuries and psychological trauma. Management is needed urgently, surgery is difficult, and amputation is often inevitable. Maximum lives and limbs can be saved with aggressive debridement, repeated inspections and dressings under anaesthesia and definitive closure at optimum time.
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Surgery & Paediatric Surgery), Army Hospital (R & R), Delhi Cantt - 10.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Harjai
authors.affiliation: Senior Adviser (Surgery & Orthopaedics), Base Hospital, Lucknow.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Surgery), 166 Military Hospital, C/o 56 APO.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dave
authors.affiliation: ADMS, HQ Central Command (Medical), Lucknow-2.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Jog
authors.affiliation: Commandant, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune-40.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arora
keywords: Amputation; Antipersonnel mine; Crush syndrome; Debridements; Mine blast injury; Secondary missiles; Shrapenels