ABSTRACT
M echa n ism • C ru sh in juries are caused by co n tin u o u s p ro longed pressure on th e body. • T h e m ajo r factor in p ro d u c in g crush in ju ry is the leng th o f tim e the pressure
is applied. T h e shortest d u ra tio n repo rted in the lite ratu re is one hour. • Patients w ho survive to reach m edical a tte n tio n have crush in juries to the
extrem ities and n o t the torso. T h e pro longed pressure requ ired to cause this syndrom e usually causes im m ed ia te d eath i f app lied to the torso.
