Dismounted Complex Blast Injuries: A Comprehensive Review of the Modern Combat Experience

One of the most challenging injury patterns to emerge from the recent military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan is the dismounted complex blast injury (DCBI), with multiple proximal amputations, pelvic fractures, and extensive perineal wounds (Fig. 1).(1-5) Lessons learned from managing patients with this pattern of injury must be captured to minimize the morbidity and mortality of those suffering similar injuries in the future. These lessons also apply to civilian patients suffering open pelvic fractures and crush injuries to the pelvis. 6 The aim of this review was to detail the diagnostic work-up and initial multidisciplinary management of DCBI patients, to describe some of the most common complications after DCBI, and to discuss future research efforts to improve the survivability and outcomes of DCBI.