The anatomy of a shark attack: a case report and review of the literature

Shark attacks are rare but are associated with a high morbidity and signifi cant mortality. We report the case of a patient's survival from a shark att ack and their subsequent emergency medical and surgical management. Using d ata from the International Shark Attack File, we review the worldwide distr ibution and incidence of shark attack. A review of the world literature exa mines the features which make shark attacks unique pathological processes. We offer suggestions for strategies of management of shark attack, and tech niques for avoiding adverse outcomes in human encounters with these endange red creatures. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.