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Hand grenade injuries among civilians
1Medical Division, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland.
JAMA
|August 4, 1993
Summary
Hand grenade injuries in displaced persons camps often affect noncombatants, with most wounds causing minimal tissue damage. Some uncomplicated fragment wounds may not require initial surgery.
Area of Science:
- Trauma surgery
- Public health in conflict zones
- Wound classification systems
Background:
- Displaced persons camps are vulnerable settings for civilian injuries.
- Hand grenades pose a significant risk of injury to noncombatants in these environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize noncombatant injuries from hand grenades in refugee camps.
- To classify these wounds using the Red Cross classification system.
Main Methods:
- A case series design was employed.
- Data were collected from 74 patients injured by hand grenades at a surgical hospital in Khao I Dang refugee camp.
- Standard interventions included intravenous antibiotics and primary wound surgery.
Main Results:
- The majority of injuries (93%) were sustained by noncombatants, including women, children, and the elderly.
- Of 91 categorized wounds, 59% were minor soft-tissue injuries.
- Fractures were uncommon, and no comminuted fractures were observed. Conservative treatment of 24 soft-tissue wounds resulted in minimal morbidity and no mortality.
Conclusions:
- Hand grenade fragments typically cause limited tissue damage; severe injuries result from vital structure penetration.
- Small, uncomplicated fragment wounds may be suitable for initial non-surgical management.
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