Upper extremity arterial combat injury management.
Traumatic hemorrhage and vascular injury management have been concerns for both civilian and military physicians. During the 20th century, advances in technique allowed surgeons to focus on vascular repair, restoration of perfusion, limb salvage, and life preservation. Military surgeons such as Makins, DeBakey, Hughes, Rich, and others made significant contributions to the field of surgery in general and vascular surgery in particular. Casualties from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq confront physicians and surgeons with devastating injuries. The current generation of providers is challenged with applying contemporary care while expanding upon the lessons taught by our predecessors. The objective of this report is to review the historical experience with managing military upper extremity arterial injuries and compare that experience with current management.
Weber
Michael A
MA
Division of Vascular Surgery, Uniformed University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Fox
Charles J
CJ
Adams
Eric
E
Rice
Rob D
RD
Quan
Reagan
R
Cox
Mitchell W
MW
Gillespie
David L
DL
D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000266:history*; D008889:Military Personnel; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000266:history; D047829:Vietnam Conflict; D014857:Warfare; D047828:World War I; D047789:World War II; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery