[Update: blast and explosion trauma]

[Pyroban on New Year's Eve 2020 & 2021 - Analysis of firework-related injuries over the last 12 years]

There is an increase of firework-related injuries in Germany at the turn of the year. With regard to hearing, a distinction is made between blast (BT) and explosion trauma (ET). The study examines the prevalence and characteristics of firework-related injuries and the impact of the COVID-19-pandemic pyrotechnic ban on New Year's Eve 2020/21 and 2021/22 compared to the 10-year period prior to the pandemic.A retrospective chart review of all patients who presented themselves with the diagnosis blast trauma (H 83.3) or explosion trauma (T 70.8) at the Charité emergency service in the last 12 years from Dezember 28 to January 5 was performed.276 patients were recorded, 77% of whom were male. 1/3 each were assigned to the age group 10-19 and 20-29 years. 21% of the patients were admitted to the hospital. There was an isolated BT of the ear in 67%, hand injuries in 11%, head injuries in 8% and eye injuries in 4%. 87% had ear involvement with hearing loss; 5% of these with ET.8% of the patients underwent surgical interventions. The treatment of a tympanic membrane perforation was carried out by: 54% splinting, 38% tympanoplasty. Therapy with a glucocorticoid was administered i.v. in 48%. and initiated orally in 20%. Overall, there was a nearly 75% decrease in injuries in 2020 and 2021 compared to the previous 10-year period.The use of fireworks leads to increased utilization of health care resources. The ban on the sale of pyrotechnics as well as the introduction of pyro ban zones in 2020 and 2021 led to a relevant decrease in injuries. 2020 and 2021 were the only years in which there were no injuries in children. The BT of the ear is the most common firework-related injury.

[Blast and explosion traumas-effects on the middle and inner ear based on the example of Bundeswehr foreign missions]

Despite all protective measures, blast and explosion traumas are a frequent pattern of injury in Bundeswehr missions abroad. Due to body protection measures, head injuries, particularly of the ears, are higher in number compared to injuries in other regions of the body. Perforations of the tympanic membrane are the most frequent lesions of the middle ear, acute sensorineural hearing loss is the most frequent lesion of the inner ear, often accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness. With a high spontaneous recovery rate, prompt specialist care for these injuries is provided according to medical standards comparable to those in the home country.

[Traumatology of the ear and temporal bone]

In addition to injuries to the pinna otologic traumatology comprises in particular injuries of the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain, temporal bone fractures together with accompanying impairment of the labyrinth and facial nerve as well as acoustic trauma and barotrauma. Depending on the mechanism of injury and typical symptoms, such as hemorrhagic otorrhoea, hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, facial nerve palsy, otoliquorrhea or pseudorhinoliquorrhea, further investigations should be planned. The present article provides an overview of the necessary further diagnostic measures as well as the therapeutic options currently available for all forms of injury mentioned here.