Articles: surgery.
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IntroductionWe aimed to identify injury-related risk factors for secondary cataract incidence after eye and brain injury and polytrauma. We also examined the effect of direct and indirect eye injury management on cataract diagnosis and treatment. Prevention or mitigation strategies require knowledge of the causes and types of combat injuries, which will enable more appropriate targeting of resources toward prevention and more efficient management of such injuries. ⋯ Traumatic cataracts often occur in SMs who sustain ocular injuries. New to the literature is that relationships exist between traumatic cataract formation and nonglobe trauma, specifically TBI and polytrauma. Ocular injury calls for an ophthalmic examination. A low threshold should exist for routine ocular exam consultation in the setting of TBI and polytrauma. Separately, polytrauma patients should undergo a review of systems questions, particularly questions about the ocular and visual pathways. A positive response to screening warrants further investigation of possible ocular pathology, including traumatic cataract formation. Cataract surgery is an effective treatment in improving the vision of SMs who suffer from traumatic cataracts. Constant effort must be made to limit occurrences of occupation-related traumatic cataracts.
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Emergent clinical care and patient movements through the military evacuation system improves survival. Patient management differs when transporting from the point-of-injury (POI) to the first medical treatment facility (MTF) versus transporting from the Role 2 to the Role 3 MTF secondary to care rendered within the MTF, including surgery and advanced resuscitation. The objective of this study was to describe care provided to patients during theater inter-facility transports and compare with pre-hospital transports (POI to first MTF). ⋯ Inter-facility transports (Role 2 to Role 3) are longer in duration, transport more complex patients, and are staffed by more advanced level provider types compared to transports from POI.
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Observational Study
A Lack of Generalizability-Total Knee Demographics in the Active Duty Population.
Age and sex are known demographic risk factors for requiring revision surgery following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Military service members are a unique population with barriers to long-term follow up after surgery. This study aims to compare demographic data between active duty military personnel and a nationwide sample to identify differences that may impact clinical and economic outcomes. ⋯ Patients undergoing TKA in the military are younger and more likely to be male compared to national trends. Current evidence suggests these factors may place them at a significant revision risk in the future. The application of quality metrics based on nationwide demographics may not be applicable to military members within the Military Health System.
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There are little data regarding elective referral to the military specialist, especially considering common pathologies such as spinal diseases, which, in the French forces, involve military neurosurgeons. An overview of the management of the military patient referred to neurosurgery consultation, especially considering spinal diseases that both constitute an operational healthissue in the forces and appear of special interest. The objective was to describe the reasons, demographics, and care pathways, addressed to the neurosurgeon. ⋯ This descriptive study demonstrates the predominance of degenerative spinal diseases in military patients referred to neurosurgery. It reflects the importance of the medical and military competence required to maintain operational capability upstream and downstream of war traumatology. The description of the care pathways invites us to define more proactive multidisciplinary pathways for the management of these diseases in the armed forces.
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Global surgery and anesthesia is an emerging field in global health and academic medicine. Promoting the education of global surgery and anesthesia among uniformed medical students is imperative and will prepare the next generation of uniformed physicians for global surgical missions through both the DoD and civilian opportunities.