Internal fixation in a combat theater hospital.
Limited data are available on the use of internal fixation in combat zone hospitals. The authors performed a retrospective review of 713 surgical cases during 2 Operation Enduring Freedom deployments to a Level III theater hospital in 2007 and 2009 to 2010. The epidemiology and short- to intermediate-term outcomes of patients treated with internal fixation devices were studied. The authors found that, with judicious use, internal fixation under a damage control protocol in a combat theater hospital can be performed with acceptable complication rates.
Thomas M
TM
Large
Cale
C
Bonds
Michael
M
Howard
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000346:Afghanistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014857:Warfare; D055815:Young Adult