Management of blast ear injuries in mass casualty environments.

OBJECTIVES

To establish a management pathway for blast ear injuries in mass casualty environments and to review the management of ear injuries caused by blast.

METHOD: Relevant literature search on blast injury was performed through MEDLINE.

RESULTS

Comprehensive review of management of blast injuries of the ear was undertaken. There was an overview of the pathophysiology of blast and detailed discussion of management of injuries of the external, middle, and inner ear. With any ear symptoms or injury, the patient should be referred to the otolaryngologist for further management.

CONCLUSION

The management of blast injury should ensure detection at an early stage, potentially life-threatening cases in mass casualty situations and ensuring that subtle injuries affecting the ear are not missed.