The Durban classification of shark bites can be used to identify the probable outcome for the patient assuming adequate care is given.
Clinical Injuries |
Grade of Injury |
both femoral arteries (involving distal two thirds) one femoral artery involving the proximal third one femoral artery (in distal two thirds) and 1 posterior tibial artery |
I |
one femoral artery in distal two thirds one brachial artery two posterior tibial arteries abdominal wounds with bowel involvement |
II |
one posterior tibial artery superficial limb wounds with no vessels cut superficial abdominal wounds with no peritoneal involvement both forearm vessels |
III |
where:
• Some theoretical injuries could be between grades: both brachial arteries, both forearms mangled. In the implementation I will move these to the next higher grade.
Grade of Injury |
Probable Outcome with Appropriate Pre-Hospital Treatment |
I |
often fatal |
II |
should survive |
III |
always survives |
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care