An 8-year review of operation enduring freedom and operation iraqi freedom resuscitative thoracotomies.
BACKGROUND
Appropriate indications for resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) in an austere environment continue to evolve; the aim of this study was to determine survival and to analyze demographics of survivors within U.S. military personnel undergoing RT.


METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of all U.S. soldiers who underwent thoracotomy in theater during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After individualized review, patients in extremis or who lost pulses and had their thoracotomy performed within 10 minutes of arrival to the emergency department were included. The primary outcome was survival at final hospital discharge, and secondary outcomes included demographics associated with survival.


RESULTS
Between January 2003 and May 2010, 81 U.S. military personnel met inclusion criteria for RT in theater. As low as 6.7% (3/45) of patients receiving prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation were alive at final hospital discharge. Survival from RT after explosive/blast injury, penetrating (gunshot wound), and blunt trauma were 16.3% (8/49), 0% (0/28), and 0% (0/4), respectively. Patients with primary explosive/blast extremity trauma undergoing RT had a survival of 27.3% (6/22). Higher initial oxygen saturations, larger volume of crystalloids and blood products infused, and higher extremity abbreviated injury score were all associated with survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Combat casualties who present pulseless or in extremis who were injured as a result of an explosive/blast injury mechanism resulting in a primary extremity injury may have a survival benefit from undergoing a RT in an austere environment.
U.S. Military General Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive #3600, San Antonio, TX 78234.
Thomas A
TA
Mitchell
U.S. Military General Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive #3600, San Antonio, TX 78234.
Kevin B
KB
Waldrep
U.S. Military General Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive #3600, San Antonio, TX 78234.
Valerie G
VG
Sams
U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass STE B, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7767.
Timothy E
TE
Wallum
U.S. Military General Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive #3600, San Antonio, TX 78234.
Lorne H
LH
Blackbourne
U.S. Military General Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive #3600, San Antonio, TX 78234.
Christopher E
CE
White
D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*