[Blast injuries of the intestines in abdominal injuries]

Intestinal blast injuries inflicted by explosive devices were found in 410 wounded hospitalized at the Military Medical Academy. Primary blast perforations were found in 7 (1.7%) cases, and they were certain only in cases of the direct blast. Examination was directed toward the primary non-penetrating blast injuries of intestines not only because of their number 43 (11%), but also because they, if untreated, progressed into secondary perforations. Operative treatment of primary and secondary perforations was performed in accordance with the existing surgical war doctrine. Treatment of the intestinal wall hematoma as primary non-perforating blast injury included surgical procedure and medication. Secondary perforations 11 (3%) developed in untreated primary non-perforating blast injuries of intestines. They were treated operatively except in two cases of enterocutaneous fistulas where conservative treatment was applied.