The UK Military Experience of Thoracic Injury in the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Abstract
Thoracic injury during warfare is associated with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. This study examines the pattern and mortality of thoracic wounding in the counter-insurgency conflicts of Iraq and Afghanistan, and outlines the operative and decision making skills required by modern military surgeon in the deployed hospital setting to manage these injuries. The UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry was searched between 2003 and 2011 to identify patients who sustained battle-related thoracic injuries admitted to a UK Field Hospital (Role 3). All UK soldiers, coalition forces and local civilians were included. Blast is the main mechanism of thoracic wounding in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thoracic trauma in association with severe head or abdominal injuries are predictors of mortality, rather than thoracic injury alone. Deploying surgeons require training in thoracic surgery in order to be able to manage patients appropriately at Role 3.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA615138
Entities
People
- A. N. Apodaca
- H. Poon
- J. J. Morrison
- J. P. Garner
- M. A. Khan
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research