Injury pattern of suicide bomb attacks in Pakistan

The aim of our study was to analyze the pattern of injuries, hospital care, and outcome of the victims of suicide bomb attacks in Pakistan.

This prospective, cohort study was conducted at the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi during the last 3 years. Seriously injured patients in the “immediate category” were resuscitated in the emergency operation theater adjacent to the emergency room and, after resuscitation, the patients were transferred to the main operation theaters, where consultant surgeons were available.

During the study period, 1,296 terrorist victims presented to the emergency department and (86.9%) were admitted, with a mean hospital stay of 8.2 ± 2.1 days. The majority of patients arrived by ambulance (91%) and only 38 (3%) were evacuated by air. Penetrating splinter injuries were the most prevalent (87%), and 29% patients also had associated injuries. Open bone fractures were found in 48% and 42% had injured hollow and solid viscous. Overall, 33% of patients had thoracic injuries and neuro-trauma was observed in 16% of the study population. Deafness was a feature in 33% patients, 121 had to undergo limb amputations, and mortality remained in 7% of patients.

Most of the problems encountered were logistic in nature. Early evacuation of the victims remains pivotal in saving lives. The major causes of death in peripheral patients was hypovolemic shock, sepsis, and hypothermia. Mortality and morbidity can be enhanced by ample fluid resuscitation, tetanus prophylaxis, and proficient first aid at the site of injury.