Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service
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Due to the nature of IED injuries, during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan The traditional, two-stage amputation for unsalvageable combat lower limb injuries has evolved into a strategy of serial debridement and greater use of plastic surgical techniques in order to preserve residual limb length. This study aimed to characterise the current treatment of lower limb loss with particular focus on the impact of specific wound infections. ⋯ A final more proximal amputation level was required in 21 stumps (30%). Recovery of A. hydrophillia from wounds was significantly associated with a requirement for a more proximal amputation level (p=0.0038) and greater number of debridements (p=0.0474) when compared to residual limb wounds withoutA. hydrophillia.
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Surgical trauma care on operations is delivered by consultants. The DMS presently delivers training to surgeons to enable them to deliver this care as newly-qualified consultants. Deploying as a trainee is one of many training evolutions available to achieve this competency. This paper describes the process involved in trainees deploying, and the training received by the first author (CAF) during a recent deployment. ⋯ Deploying on operations as a trainee is invaluable in preparing DMS juniors for their future roles as consultants in the DMS. Training is received not only in a breadth of surgical and resuscitative procedures, beyond a trainee's "base specialty", but also in other critical aspects of deployments including Crew Resource Management.
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Biography Historical Article
The death of an admiral--surgery and medicine in Nelson's Navy.
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Pre-hospital emergency care (PHEC) in the military has undergone major changes during the last 10 years of warfighting in the land environment. Providing this care in the maritime environment presents several unique challenges. This paper examines the clinical capabilities required of a PHEC team in the maritime environment and how this role can be fulfilled as part of Role 2 Afloat. It applies to Pre-hospital emergency care projected from a hospital not to General Duties Medical Officers at Role 1.
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The embarkation of detainees is complex and medical requirements and ethical considerations can collide with operational requirements. Morally and ethically the correct route of action is always to disembark the patient at the earliest opportunity to a first rate medical facility; however this is not always possible for a variety of geographical, operational, financial and political reasons. It is ultimately a command decision utilising the best advice that the Medical Officer can provide. It is important that Commanding Officers and Medical Officers have a strong working relationship and understand each other's responsibilities and constraints.