title: Impact of improved combat casualty care on combat wounded undergoing exploratory laparotomy and massive transfusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have shown decreased mortality after improvements in combat casualty care, including increased fresh frozen plasma (FFP):red blood cell (RBC) ratios. The objective was to evaluate the evolution and impact of improved combat casualty care at different time periods of combat operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed at one combat support hospital in Iraq of patients requiring both massive transfusion (≥ 10 units RBC in 24 hours) and exploratory laparotomy. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on year wounded: C1 between December 2003 and June 2004, and C2 between September 2007 and May 2008. Admission data, amount of blood products and fluid transfused, and 48 hour mortality were compared. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was decreased mortality in C2 (47% vs. 20%). Patients arrived warmer with higher hemoglobin. They were transfused more RBC and FFP in the emergency department (5 units ± 3 units vs. 2 units ± 2 units; 3 units ± 2 units vs. 0 units ± 1 units, respectively) and received less crystalloid in operating room (3.3 L ± 2.2 L vs. 8.5 L ± 4.9 L). The FFP:RBC ratio was also closer to 1:1 in C2 (0.775 ± 0.32 vs. 0.511 ± 0.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of improved prehospital care, trauma systems approach, performance improvement projects, and improved transfusion or resuscitation practices have led to a 50% decrease in mortality for this critically injured population. We are now transfusing blood products in a ratio more consistent with 1 FFP to 1 RBC. Simultaneously, crystalloid use has decreased by 61%, all of which is consistent with hemostatic resuscitation principles.
authors.affiliation: United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, USA. john.simmons@amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Eastridge
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Holcomb
authors.forename: Jeremy G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mace
authors.forename: Lorne H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Blackbourne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000401:mortality; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy