Clinical features of 27 shark attack cases on La Réunion Island.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery · 2017-03-02 · Observational study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Between January 2000 and September 2016, there have been 27 documented shark attacks on La Réunion Island. The insular nature of La Réunion has allowed us to perform an extensive survey of these attacks. The objective was to describe the clinical features of these shark attacks, as only case reports have been published up to now. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of the 27 cases of nonprovoked shark attacks that have occurred between January 2000 and September 2016. Post-humate predation, provoked attacks, and isolated attack on devices were excluded. All bone and vascular injuries were documented in the 21 remaining cases. Prehospital tourniquet use was specifically recorded. RESULTS: Among the 21 victims, eight died (38%) despite rapid use of resuscitation techniques in five cases when it was feasible; these techniques were not needed in the survivors. Thirteen patients were immediately treated in the operating room. Amputation or disarticulation occurred 13 times in 10 victims, five of whom died. Twelve injuries to major vascular structures were found in 11 victims, six of which died. A prehospital tourniquet was applied in four of the five surviving victims who had injuries to major vascular structures (including one victim with major humeral and femoral artery damage) and in one victim who died (the very proximal wound was not controlled). CONCLUSION: Our study found that quickly applying a tourniquet to the injured limb(s) contributes to the victim's survival. Disarticulation is a particular feature of shark attacks. The number and severity of shark attacks at La Réunion Island are worse than in the rest of the world. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological, level V.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Mortality & survival · Tourniquet
Related articles
- Law enforcement-applied tourniquets: a case series of life-saving interventions. (Prehosp Emerg Care, 2015)
- Prehospital use of hemostatic dressings by the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps: A case series of 122 patients. (J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 2015)
- Epidemiology of Trauma-Related Hemorrhage and Time to Definitive Care Across North America: Making the Case for Bleeding Control Education. (Prehosp Disaster Med, 2023)
- Prehospital Blood Transfusion During Aeromedical Evacuation of Trauma Patients in Israel: The IDF CSAR Experience. (Mil Med, 2017)
- Stop the bleed " - Prehospital bleeding control in patients with multiple and/or severe injuries - A systematic review and clinical practice guideline - A systematic review and clinical practice guideline. (Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg, 2025)
- Prehospital Interventions During Mass-Casualty Events in Afghanistan: A Case Analysis. (Prehosp Disaster Med, 2017)