title: Early pulsatile lavage for the decontamination of combat wounds: historical review and point proposal.
abstract: Pulsatile lavage is an effective means of irrigation for grossly contaminated wounds. Pulse lavage was first used by oral surgeons in the U.S. Army during the war in Vietnam, and U.S. military investigators pioneered its early development and scientifically validated its efficacy. Modern pulse lavage units are ideally suited for military use because they enable first- and second-echelon medical personnel (including nonphysicians) to rapidly and effectively decontaminate combat wounds with minimal logistic burden. Pulse lavage units should become standard issue in all combat medical supply canisters or Authorized Medical Allowance blocks, and medical personnel should be trained in their use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 20889-5000, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Keblish
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DeMaio
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008889:Military Personnel; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014857:Warfare; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*