Burn Support for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Related Operations, 2003 to 2004
Abstract
Thermal injury historically constitutes approximately 5% to 20% of conventional warfare casualties. This article reviews medical planning for burn care for the war in Iraq and experience with burns during the war at the U.S. Army Burn Center; aboard the USNS Comfort hospital ship; and at Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two burn surgeons were deployed to the military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, and to the Gulf Region to assist with triage and patient care. From March 2003 to May 2004, 109 burn casualties from the war were hospitalized at the U.S. Army Burn Center in San Antonio, Texas, and U.S. Army Burn Flight Teams moved 51 critically ill burn casualties to the Burn Center. Ten Iraqi burn patients underwent surgery and were hospitalized for up to 1 month aboard the Comfort, including six with massive wounds. Eighty-six burn casualties were hospitalized at the 28th Combat Support Hospital for up to 53 days. This experience highlights the importance of anticipating the burn care needs of both combatants and the local civilian population during war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA480612
Entities
People
- Alfredo E. Montalvo
- Bernard J. Kopchinski
- David J. Barillo
- E. E. Horvath
- John B Holcomb
- Keith R. Charter
- Leopoldo C. Cancio
- Mary-margaret Brandt
- Matthew L. Brengman
- Teresa M. Buescher
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research