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Surgical response to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack
A H Bhandarwar1, G D Bakhshi, M B Tayade
1Department of General Surgery, Grant Medical College and Sir Jamshetjee Jejeebhoy Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, India. abhandarwar@yahoo.com
Background:
Mumbai, the financial capital of India, was attacked by terrorists at various famous, densely populated places on 26 November 2008. The attack lasted for 60 h, resulting in multiple civilian casualties from bullet and blast injuries. The aim was to review the disaster management plan and analyse the injury patterns and surgical response.
Methods:
The disaster management plan was activated in the Sir Jamshetjee Jejeebhoy Group of Hospitals as soon as the earliest casualties were reported. The casualty receiving area was converted into a triage zone; patients were accordingly sent to different stations for further management. There was rotation of the duties of the medical personnel every 8 h for increased efficiency.
Results:
A total of 271 casualties were encountered, of which 108 were dead at admission. Some 163 patients were triaged, 23 of whom received primary care as outpatients. The remaining 140 patients needed admission to hospital; 194 operations were performed in 127 patients. There were six postoperative deaths.
Conclusion:
This was a unique terrorist attack targeted on civilians and continuing for more than 2 days. The casualties consisted of military injuries due to combined firearm and blast trauma. Primary triage, or onsite triage once the site is safe, optimizes management.
Insights
The 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks caused numerous civilian casualties from firearm and blast injuries. Effective disaster management and primary triage were crucial for optimizing patient care during this unique, prolonged event.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Disaster Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- The 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks involved prolonged assaults on densely populated civilian areas.
- The attacks resulted in significant casualties from combined firearm and blast injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the disaster management plan implemented during the attacks.
- To analyze injury patterns and the surgical response to mass casualties.
Main Methods:
- The hospital's disaster management plan was activated upon receiving the first casualties.
- A triage zone was established, and medical personnel rotated every 8 hours for efficiency.
- Patients were managed based on triage, with some receiving outpatient care and others requiring hospitalization.
Main Results:
- A total of 271 casualties were recorded, with 108 deaths on admission.
- 163 patients were triaged, 23 treated as outpatients, and 140 admitted.
- 194 operations were performed on 127 patients, with six postoperative deaths.
Conclusions:
- The event represented a unique civilian-targeted terrorist attack with prolonged duration.
- Casualties sustained military-style injuries from combined firearm and blast trauma.
- Onsite primary triage significantly optimizes the management of mass casualties.
