This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Surgical response to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. BJS 2012; 99: 368-372.
Published: 2nd December 2011
Authors: A. H. Bhandarwar, G. D. Bakhshi, M. B. Tayade, A. D. Borisa, N. R. Thadeshwar, S. S. Gandhi et al.
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.
Method
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. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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