Management of head trauma due to landmine explosions: From battle field to operation room

Abstract

Background. Head injuries due to landmine explosions are not well studied and the management of such injuries is not documented, even though there is, unfortunately, a regrettably high incidence of such injuries in the military and in civilians. Methods. The data of 119 patients who underwent surgery for the head injuries due to landmine explosions were reviewed retrospectively. All of these patients were military personnel, and the mean age was 23 years. Results. A total 83 (69.7%) of the cases were injured by the anti-personnel devices and 36 (30.3%) by vehicle landmines. Fifty percent of the patients underwent surgery for depressed skull fracture, intraparenchymal foreign body, epidural haematoma or subdural haematoma. Six (0.05%) patients died in the emergency room. Conclusion. Landmine explosions can produce classic injury patterns from blunt and penetrating mechanisms to several organ systems, including the brain. They also produce unique injury patterns to the brain. Understanding this important difference is critical in management of these injuries. Early surgical treatment and appropriate management could save more lives.