U.S. Army Medical Department journal
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Effective combat trauma management strategies depend on an understanding of the epidemiology of death on the battlefield, resulting in evidence-based equipment, training, and research requirements. ⋯ The majority of deaths on the modern battlefield are nonsurvivable. Current results are not different from previous conflicts. In Vietnam, reported potentially preventable death rates range from 5% to 35% and civilian data reports potentially preventable death rates ranging from 12% to 22%. Military munitions cause multiple lethal injuries. Current trauma training and equipment is sufficient to care for 53% of the potentially survivable deaths. Improved methods of intravenous or intracavitary noncompressible hemostasis combined with rapid surgery are required for the remaining 47% of the decedents.
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Case Reports
Management of traumatic war wounds using vacuum-assisted closure dressings in an austere environment.
The study was undertaken to develop a protocol for the ongoing management of traumatic war wounds in the austere environment of a combat support hospital. ⋯ An effective protocol utilizing VAC dressings was developed for the expeditious treatment of traumatic war injuries in an austere environment.