[Patterns of injury in a combat environment. 2007 update].
BACKGROUND
Epidemiological analysis of injury patterns and mechanisms help in identifying the expertise that military surgeons need in a combat setting and also in adjusting training requirements accordingly. This paper attempts to assess the surgical specialties and skills of particular importance in the management of casualties in crisis areas.


METHODS
MEDLINE (1949-2007) and Google search were used. Causes of death among casualties in Afghanistan and the Iraq war were analyzed.


RESULTS
The leading causes of injury were explosive devices, gunshot wounds, aircraft crashes, and terrorist attacks. Of the casualties, 55% died in hostile action and 45% in nonhostile incidents. Chest or abdominal injuries (40%) and brain injuries (35%) were the main causes of death for soldiers killed in action. The case fatality rate in Iraq was approximately half as high as in the Vietnam War. In contrast, the amputation rate was twice as high. Approximately 8-15% of the deaths appeared to be preventable.


CONCLUSIONS
Military surgeons must have excellent skills in the fields of thoracic, visceral, and vascular surgery as well as practical skills in neurosurgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery. It also is of vital importance to ensure the availability of sufficient medical evacuation capabilities. Furthermore, there is a need for a standardized registration system for all injuries similar to the German Trauma Registry.
Willy
C
C
Chirurgische Klinik, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081, Ulm, Germany. PDDrmedChristianWilly@bwb.org
Voelker
H-U
HU
Steinmann
R
R
Engelhardt
M
M
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000401:mortality; D000346:Afghanistan; D000349:Africa; D000569:Americas; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001208:Asia; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005060:Europe; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D016239:MEDLINE; D008887:Military Medicine; D013043:Specialties, Surgical; D023481:Terrorism; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery