Effects of bomb blast injury on the ears: The aga khan university hospital experience

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and effects of blast-related otologic injuries. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised charts of patients who were victims of bomb explosions between January 2011 and July 2013. Frequency and percentages were reported using cross tabulation with size of bomb, distance of person from blast and the presence of victim in open or closed space. Association of associated variables were also analysed. Results: Of the 100 patients, 81(81%) were men and 19(19%) were women. Besides, 68(68%) patients were aged ≤30 years. Also, 78(78%) subjects were exposed to ≤ 80kg of explosives and 68(68%) were at a distance of>10m. Furthermore, 61(61%) patients were exposed to explosion in openspace. The prevalence of ear injuries was 21(21%). The odds of experiencing various symptoms of ears was high in those who were exposed to >80 kg of explosives (odds ratio: 3.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.16, 9.91). The odds of hearing loss in those who were within 10m was 8.62 (95% confidence interval: 2.72, 27.28) times than those who were >10 m from the site of explosion. Conclusion: Otologic injuries were frequently associated with large blasts.