The Surgical clinics of North America
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Surg. Clin. North Am. · Jun 2006
ReviewUnited States military surgical response to modern large-scale conflicts: the ongoing evolution of a trauma system.
This article provides a brief description of the evolution of military trauma surgical care since Operation Desert Storm and the ongoing evolution of the trauma system in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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Surg. Clin. North Am. · Jun 2006
ReviewCivilian preparedness and counter-terrorism: conventional weapons.
Most terrorist attacks involve conventional weapons. These explosive devices produce injury patterns that are sometimes predict-able. The chaos produced from these weapons can be greatly reduced with prior planning, response practice, and realization by the entire medical community of the need to participate in preparation for these devastating events.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom is the largest casualty-producing conflict this nation's military has faced since Vietnam. Medical departments from the three services have done an extraordinary job reacting to the ever-changing landscape of modern warfare and the devastating injuries produced. From the revamping of prehospital care to new applications of damage-control surgery, challenges have erupted, lessons have been learned, and lives are being saved.
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Surg. Clin. North Am. · Jun 2006
Peacekeeping and stability operations: a military surgeon's perspective.
Military surgeons serve a unique role in peacekeeping and stability operations and in response to natural disasters. Military medical units are the best medical resource to respond early in times of cri-sis but are often less equipped for prolonged missions and subsequent management of the chronic health care needs of the masses. ⋯ The primary medical mission is to treat the peacekeeping force, but the reality lies in eventually treating the refugees and victims of hostile conflict, including women, small children, and the elderly. This article explores the unique features of a surgeon's role in the support of these missions.