Anti-personnel mine injury; mechanism and medical management.

Injury from anti-personnel mines remains a serious threat to military and civilian populations, even after conflict has ceased (Groom 1984; Jeffreys 1996). It was estimated that in 1996, there were approximately 100 million anti-personnel mines laid worldwide and many of these were, and still are, situated in unmarked mine fields. This article discusses the mechanism, medical management and outcome from anti-personnel mine injury and also looks at recent advances in protection concepts.