Cross-sectional analysis of Dutch repatriated service members from southern Afghanistan (2003-2014)

Military Medicine
Eelco P HuizingaLuke Leenen

Abstract

A systematic analysis of the complete medical support organization of the Dutch Armed Forces regarding repatriated service members from Afghanistan has not been performed so far. All information were collated in a specifically designed electronic database and gathered from the archive of the Central Military Hospital for all Dutch service members receiving treatment for wounds or diseases sustained in the Afghan theater from July 2003 till January 2014. Traumatic injuries were the main cause (63%, 141/223) of repatriation, and improvised explosive devices the major (67%, 60/89) mechanism of injury in the battle casualty group. The mean time between injury and medical evacuation from Afghanistan was 8 days, and this was reduced to 3.6 days in case of polytrauma casualties (ISS > 15). Sixty percent of all Dutch medical evacuations from Afghanistan were not directly related to combat operations. A standard medical examination/endurance test in the predeployment phase could be useful as screening tool in reduction of the disease nonbattle injury casualty rate. Shorter transport intervals might improve morbidity and mortality of casualties, a timeframe of 48 to 72 hours for receiving definitive treatment seems feasible. Further rese...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 23, 2017·The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery·Thijs T C F van DongenLuke P H Leenen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Brain Injury & Trauma

brain injury after impact to the head is due to both immediate mechanical effects and delayed responses of neural tissues.