Unexploded Ordnance in an Expectant Patient: A Case Report

Retained unexploded ordnance is only one of the numerous potential threats to coalition forces while deployed in the theater of operations. Though rare, these are also very real dangers for personnel involved with patient care and movement. Principles of management include determination of device type with plain film radiography, minimizing rotational and vibratory movement, and strategic isolation of the patient from the hospital facility, hospital personnel, and other patients. Early identification of this threat, as well as early involvement of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is paramount to safe and successful management. We present a case of a deceased patient in the expectant triage category with a delayed identification of retained unexploded ordnance during postmortem preparation.