Thoracic Trauma: Analysis of 140 US Army Casualties in Vietnam from July to September 1967.
Abstract
This report consists of an analysis of US Army casualties with thoracic missile wounds sustained in combat in Vietnam from July through September 1967. The purpose of this study is to provide information on wound ballistics which may prove useful to governmental agencies interested in body armor and weapons development, and medical research. The upper thorax was the area most vulnerable to missile injuries of the chest. Lacerations of the lung offer the best prognosis among penetrating missile wounds of the vital chest structures. Closed chest thoracotomy has proved to be an effective method of treating most missile injuries of the lungs. Penetrating cardiac wounds are highly lethal when incurred on the battlefield. There was a higher percentage of bullet wounds in the fatalities than in the survivors, indicating a higher relative lethality for bullets. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0866212
Entities
People
- Ian Sunshine