An Analysis of Orthopedic Surgical Procedures Performed During U.S. Combat Operations from 2002 to 2016.
CONCLUSIONS: Orthopedic surgical procedures are common on the battlefield. Current dispersed military operations can occur without orthopedic surgeon support; general surgeons therefore become responsible for initial management of all injuries. Debridement of open fracture, fasciotomy, amputation and external fixation account for 2/3 of combat orthopedic volume; these procedures are no longer a significant part of general surgery training, and uncommonly performed by general/trauma surgeons at US hospitals. Given their frequency in war, expertise in orthopedic procedures by military general surgeons is imperative.
PMID: 31132109 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Military Medicine - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Tags: Mil Med Source Type: research