Radiation injuries, triage, and treatment after a nuclear terrorist attack

The treatment of injuries from a nuclear weapon or a radioactive dispersal device most likely will be in a mass casualty scenario. Radiation injuries complicate the treatment process, with increased emphasis on early intervention. The care of patients must proceed in an orderly fashion. If radiation injury occurs as part of a mass casualty, some organized method of triage, decontamination, evacuation, and treatment must be implemented. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should plan to become integral members of the treatment team, especially considering their wide scope of training. It is important for all health care providers to become familiar with the types of injuries that can be expected after a radiologic attack and the treatment modalities that can preserve life should such a catastrophe occur.