Medical consequences of terrorism - The conventional weapon threat

Terrorist bombings will continue to overwhelm civilian emergency medical se rvice (EMS) and urban medical systems in the future. Primary blast injury t o gas-filled organs, such as the lungs and those of the auditory system and alimentary tract, is certainly a significant cause of morbidity and mortal ity in explosion injuries. Scene control; expeditious evacuation by skilled EMS personnel; and timely, expert emergency and perioperative care in the hospital will provide for the best possible outcome in such dire circumstan ces.