Military medicine
-
Nearly 10% of all combat injuries during the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan involve thoracic trauma. The long-term outcomes of these combat-related injuries with respect to lung function have not been fully evaluated. Limited research in civilian polytrauma patients have shown significant obstructive physiology in nearly half of their population without clear etiology. We sought to further characterize the extent to which these active duty service members (ADSM) are chronically affected by their thoracic injuries. ⋯ There is a significant increase in the percent of abnormal PFTs in ADSM following thoracic injury when compared to patients with similar risk factors and baseline health. It is unclear why the rates of obstruction are high in our population as previous research has not definitively shown increased rates of asthma in previously deployed, uninjured ADSM; however, this finding is consistent with limited previous research in civilian trauma patients. Further research into the long-term outcomes of thoracic trauma and occupational exposures of combat is paramount for improved outcomes going forward.
-
Thyroid nodules are common in young adults. We sought to compare the sonographic characteristics (thyroid imaging reporting and data system [Ti-RADS] classification) with the reported cytological results (Bethesda categories) from thyroid nodules in young recruits and examine the efficiency of our unique multidisciplinary clinic. ⋯ Despite an overall fair agreement between the sonographic features and cytological findings in young adults, we recommend a more aggressive approach and repeated biopsies despite reported benign pathology, because of a high false-negative rate.
-
Endovascular variable aortic control (EVAC) is an automated partial resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) platform designed to mitigate the deleterious effects of complete REBOA. Long-term experiments are needed to assess potential benefits. The feasibility of a 24-hour experiment in a complex large animal trauma model remains unknown. ⋯ This study demonstrates the feasibility of intermediate-term experiments in a complex swine model of polytrauma with 90 minutes of REBOA. EVAC may be associated with improved survival at 24 hours when compared with complete REBOA. EVAC resulted in normalized physiology after 24 hours, suggesting that prolonged partial occlusion is possible. Longer studies evaluating partial REBOA strategies are needed.
-
We create an expandable combat wound classification coding system and a stratified standardized combat wound injury spectrum to support triage according to the treatment echelon and to provide the basis for the rapid and efficient classification of combat casualties. The coding system simultaneously assists in identifying injuries with a high incidence of fatality that require emergency treatment, and provides a framework for the triage of combat wounds in mass casualty situations. ⋯ The combat wound classification codes that were established through the HHI index and expert consultations achieved good results in terms of having higher classification speed and accuracy than traditional methods. This means they could be used to identify injuries with a high-incidence of fatality and provide guidance to improve the efficiency of treatment among all treatment echelons in the army.
-
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) modified their screening guidelines for breast cancer in November 2009. Previous studies evaluated the impact of these guideline changes among privately and Medicare insured populations. Women in the military form a unique population exposed to many social, environmental, and occupational hazards that may increase breast cancer incidence. By evaluating mammography screening rates among women in the military before and after the USPSTF guideline changes, this study evaluated the impact of the USPSTF breast cancer guideline change on screening mammography use within the military population and determined whether current guidelines were followed for this high-risk population with universal health care access. ⋯ The USPSTF guidelines had differential impacts among some subpopulations. While older women, aged 50 to 64 years, had a greater temporary reduction immediately after the guideline change, younger women aged 40 to 49 years had a longer-term reduction in screening following the guideline changes. No racial disparities in the proportion screened or in the impact of the guideline change were noted in this population with universal health coverage. The lack of Department of Defense standard breast cancer screening guidelines was evident from the different patterns of mammography utilization observed among military branches. To completely understand the impact of the updated screening guidelines, future studies must incorporate research focusing on changes in breast cancer morbidity and mortality as well as updated cost-benefit analyses.