Anti-personnel Landmine Injuries during Peace: Experience in a European Country

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction:The purpose of this study is to report the incidence of landmine injuries during peacetime in a European country.Methods:Forty victims of landmine explosions were admitted to Didimoticho General Hospital in Greece, from December 1988 to March 2003. A total of 19 people survived (47.5%) these events; all of the others were dead upon admission to the hospital. All of the victims were men, either suspected smugglers or migrants entering the country illegally, with an aver- age of 30 years (range: 15–56 years).Results:Most victims presented in groups, with multiple traumatic injuries, including lower extremity wounds. The mortality rate in the minefield prior to hospital admission was 52.5%, and the amputation rate for the survivors was 37%. There were no deaths of the patients admitted to the hospital.Conclusions:Landmines cause highenergy injuries with high mortality and amputation rates. Illegal migrants are the main victims of landmine explosions in Greece.