Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-13-2025

Comments

This article is the author's final published version in Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, Volume 19, June 2025, e146.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2025.10081.

Copyright © The Author(s), 202

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: When unexploded ordnance (UXO) is embedded in the body, the effect of explosive weapons used in conflict is amplified. Though relatively rare, such events present potentially devastating consequences for the patient and medical providers as routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures hold potential to initiate detonation of the embedded UXO (eUXO). The objective is to identify and synthesize available literature relating to the management of eUXO in low resource settings.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using PRISMA-ScR methodology to evaluate literature in all languages from all date ranges until January 31, 2024, discussing the management of casualties with eUXO, including types of ordnance, injury patterns, diagnostics, resource utilization, surgical interventions, and outcomes.

RESULTS: Search strings identified 3,425 records. After title and abstract screening 3,397 were excluded yielding 18 for full text screening of which 5 were excluded. Therefore 13 reports were included in analysis. Data variable reporting was heterogeneous but themes and subthemes regarding safety, planning and communication emerged.

CONCLUSIONS: A scoping review was conducted to identify gaps in existing literature on the management of eUXO in low resource settings. Coordinated engagement from personnel representing a variety of clinical and non-clinical specialties is required to safely manage eUXO.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Additional Files
Supplementary Materials.zip (819 kB)

Language

English

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