Long-term participation of Dutch service members with combat-related injury.

BACKGROUND: After deployment service members need to adapt to civilian life and return to participation in family, vocational and community life. AIMS: To assess the level of activity and participation of service members with combat-related injury after their rehabilitation intervention and to measure the effect of injury severity, adaptive coping, number of deployments and traumatic stress. METHODS: The physical functioning scale of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36 PF), the Assessment of Life Habits short version (LIFE-H), the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) were administered to service members who sustained combat-related injury. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) was calculated, and the number of deployments was noted. Correlations were calculated between the LIFE-H and ISS, IES-R, number of deployments and adaptive coping and between the SF-PF and ISS, IES-R, number of deployments and adaptive coping. RESULTS: The response rate was 55% (32 service members). A moderate correlation was found between LIFE-H and IES (r = -0.49) and a very weak correlation was found between LIFE-H and injury severity (r = 0.31). No correlation was found between SF-36 PF and ISS, IES, number of deployments or CERQ and between LIFE-H and number of deployments or CERQ. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate correlation was found between level of participation and traumatic stress in service members with combat-related injury in a 5-year follow-up. Therefore, it is advisable to screen for traumatic stress symptoms and monitor these symptoms during the rehabilitation intervention.

Telemedicine-Guided Two-Incision Lower Leg Fasciotomy Performed by Combat Medics During Tactical Combat Casualty Care: A Feasibility Study.

INTRODUCTION: During tactical combat casualty care, life- and limb-saving procedures might also be performed by combat medics. This study assesses whether it is feasible to use a head-mounted display (HMD) to provide telemedicine (TM) support from a consulted senior surgeon for combat medics when performing a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine combat medics were randomized into groups to perform a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy. One group used the Vuzix M400 and the second group used the RealWear HMT-1Z1. A third, control, group received no guidance. In the Vuzix M400 group and RealWear HMT-1Z1 group, a senior surgeon examined the results after the two-incision lower leg fasciotomy was finished to assess the release of compartments, possible collateral damage, and performance of the combat medics. In the control group, these results were examined by a surgical resident with expertise in two-incision lower leg fasciotomies. The resident's operative performance questionnaire was used to score the performance of the combat medics. The telehealth usability questionnaire was used to evaluate the usability of the HMDs as perceived by the combat medics. RESULTS: Combat medics using an HMD were considered competent in performing a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy (Vuzix: median 3 [range 0], RealWear: median 3 [range 1]). These combat medics had a significantly better score in their ability to adapt to anatomical variances compared to the control group (Vuzix: median 3 [range 0], RealWear: median 3 [range 0], control: median 1 [range 0]; P = .018). Combat medics using an HMD were faster than combat medics in the control group (Vuzix: mean 14:14 [SD 3:41], RealWear: mean 15:42 [SD 1:58], control: mean 17:45 [SD 2:02]; P = .340). The overall satisfaction with both HMDs was 5 out of 7 (Vuzix: median 5 [range 0], RealWear: median 5 [range 1]; P = .317). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that it is feasible to use an HMD to provide TM support performance from a consulted senior surgeon for combat medics when performing a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy. The results of this study suggest that TM support might be useful for combat medics during tactical combat casualty care when performing life- and limb-saving procedures.

Frostbite: a systematic review on freezing cold injuries in a military environment.

BACKGROUND: Military practice or deployment in extreme conditions includes risks, dangers and rare disorders. One of the challenges is frostbite; however, current literature does not provide an overview of this condition in a military context. This review aims to map the incidence, risk factors and outcome of frostbite in military casualties in the armed forces. METHODS: A systematic literature search on frostbite (freezing cold injuries) in military settings from 1995 to the present was performed. A critical appraisal of the included articles was conducted. Data on incidence, risk factors, treatment and outcome were extracted. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included in our systematic review. Most studies of frostbite in a military setting were published nearly half a century ago. Frostbite incidence has declined from 7% to around 1% in armed forces in arctic regions but could be as high as 20% in small-scale arctic manoeuvres. Overall and military-specific risk factors for contracting frostbite were identified. CONCLUSION: During inevitable arctic manoeuvres, frostbite is a frequently diagnosed injury in service members. Postfreezing symptoms often persist after severe frostbite injury, which decreases employability within the service. Over time, military practice has changed considerably, and modern protective materials have been introduced; therefore, re-evaluation and future study in the military field are appropriate, preferably with other North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners.

Frostbite: a treatment guideline for prehospital treatment in a military environment.

Frostbite remains a severe medical condition that causes long-lasting sequelae and can threaten military operations. Information on prehospital treatment of frostbite is scarce and existing guidelines are aimed at the general population.This paper provides a guideline on prehospital emergency care of frostbite in the (Netherlands) Armed Forces. The insights gained from studies reporting on frostbite treatment in the prehospital setting were combined with the expert opinions of the authors and applied to the military context. The resulting guideline consists of two stages: (prolonged) field care and care at a Medical Treatment Facility. The cornerstones are rewarming in warm water and evacuation to a medical facility. Additional aspects of prehospital treatment are rehydration, proper analgesia, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and wound care.We suggest further collaboration among North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners and other affiliated nations, focusing on the full spectrum of military injury management including state-of-the-art aftercare, long-lasting sequelae and return to duty after frostbite.

Repatriation for diseases or non-battle injuries (DNBI): long-term impact on quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: Throughout history, diseases and non-battle injuries (DNBI) have threatened deployed forces more than battlefield injuries. During the Dutch involvement in Afghanistan, the amount of DNBI that needed medical evacuation out of theatre (60%) exceeded the number of battle injuries (40%). The aim of this study is to explore the long-term quality of life (QoL) of Dutch service members that acquired a DNBI, warranting repatriation during their deployment to Afghanistan between 2003 and 2014. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional cohort study in a selected group of Dutch service members who deployed to Afghanistan 2003-2014 and were repatriated due to DNBI. Using the 36-item Short Form, EuroQol-6D, Symptom Checklist 90 and Post Deployment Reintegration Scale questionnaires, their outcomes were compared with a control group of deployed service members who did not sustain injuries or illnesses. RESULTS: Groups were comparable in age, rank, number of deployments and social status. There were significant differences found in terms of physical functioning, pain and health perspective. No differences were seen in emotional or psychological outcomes. CONCLUSION: The amount of military service members who contract a DNBI is significant and imposes a burden on the capacity of the medical support, readiness of deployed units and sustainability of ongoing operations. However, regarding QoL, being forced to leave their units and to be repatriated to their home country due to a DNBI seems to have no significant impact on reported psychological symptoms of distress and reintegration experiences. Future research should focus on more in-depth registration of illnesses and not combat related diseases and injuries and even longer-term outcomes.

For debate: advanced bleeding control potentially saves lives in armed forces and should be considered.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced bleeding control options for truncal and junctional haemorrhage including resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) have been used in managing catastrophic bleeding. The primary aim is to report on potential indications for advanced bleeding control in combat casualties during the Dutch deployment in Uruzgan, Afghanistan, between August 2006 and August 2010. The secondary aim is to report on training methods for advanced bleeding control in (para)medical personnel. METHODS: The trauma registry from the Dutch role 2 enhanced medical treatment facility at Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan, Afghanistan, was used to analyse patients who sustained a battle injury with major haemorrhage. Furthermore, a comprehensive search was performed on training (para)medical personnel in advanced bleeding control. RESULTS: There were 212 possible indications for advanced bleeding control with mortality of 28.8% (61/212). These possible indications consisted of 1.9% (4/212) junctional lower extremity injuries with a 75% (3/4) mortality rate, 59% (125/212) visceral vascular injuries with a mortality rate of 12.5% (26/125). The junctional and visceral injuries (n=129) were all potential indications for advanced bleeding control options, such as REBOA. Further 39.2% (83/212) casualties with central thoracic or neck injuries had a mortality rate of 38.6% (32/83). Based on an Abbreviated Injury Scale chest or abdomen score ≥461 indications for advanced bleeding control were identified. A 24-hour average of 8.8 packets of red blood cells, 4.2 packets of plasma and 1.9 packets of platelets was used to prevent exsanguination. The total out-of-hospital survival rate was 64% (39/61). CONCLUSION: Retrospective analysis revealed 212 potential indications for advanced bleeding control with a mortality of 28.8% (61/212). Advanced bleeding control, such as REBOA, might have improved survival in approximately 61 of 212 casualties. Advanced bleeding control could be used as an adjunct to improve outcomes in major truncal or junctional haemorrhage in prehospital, remote settings and implementation should be considered. Vascular access training and REBOA placement for (para)medical military personnel should be explored in future research.

Feasibility Study of Vascular Access and REBOA Placement in Quick Response Team Firefighters.

BACKGROUND: Early hemorrhage control using resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) can save lives. This study was designed to evaluate the ability to train Quick Response Team Fire Fighters (QRT-FF) to gain percutaneous femoral artery access and place a REBOA catheter in a model, using a comprehensive theoretical and practical training program. METHODS: Six QRT-FF participated in the training. SOF medics from a previous training served as the control group. A formalized training curriculum included basic anatomy and endovascular materials for percutaneous access and REBOA placement. Key skills included (1) preparation of an endovascular toolkit, (2) achieving vascular access in the model, and (3) placement and positioning of REBOA. RESULTS: QRT-FF had significantly better scores compared with medics using endovascular materials (P = .003) and performing the procedure without unnecessary attempts (P = .032). Basic surgical anatomy scores for QRT-FF were significantly better than SOF medics (P = .048). QRT-FF subjects demonstrated a significantly higher overall technical skills point score than medics (P = .030). QRT-FF had a median total time from start of the procedure to REBOA inflation of 3:23 minutes, and medics, 5:05 minutes. All six QRT-FF subjects improved their procedure times-as did four of the five medics. CONCLUSIONS: Our training program using a task training model can be utilized for percutaneous femoral access and REBOA placement training of QRT-FF without prior ultrasound or endovascular experience. Training the use of advanced bleeding control options such as REBOA, as a secondary occupational task, has the potential to improve outcomes for severely bleeding casualties in the field.

Vascular access training for REBOA placement: a feasibility study in a live tissue-simulator hybrid porcine model.

BACKGROUND: The use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in patients with severe haemorrhagic shock is increasing. Obtaining vascular access is a necessary prerequisite for REBOA placement in these situations. METHODS: During the EVTM workshop (September 2017, Örebro, Sweden), 21 individuals participated in this study, 16 participants and five instructors. A formalised curriculum was constructed including basic anatomy of the femoral region and basic training in access materials for REBOA placement in zone 1. Key skills: (1) preparation of endovascular toolkit, (2) achieving vascular access in the model and (3) bleeding control with REBOA. Scoring ranged from 0 to 5 for non-anatomical skills. Identification of anatomical structures was either sufficient (score=1) or insufficient (score=0). Five consultants performed a second identical procedure as a post test. RESULTS: Consultants had significantly better overall technical skills in comparison with residents (p=0.005), while understanding of surgical anatomy showed no difference. Procedure times differed significantly (p<0.01), with residents having a median procedure time of 3 min and 24 s, consultants 2:33 and instructors 1:09. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive training model using a live tissue-simulator hybrid porcine model can be used for femoral access and REBOA placement training in medical personnel with different prior training levels. Higher levels of training are associated with faster procedure times. Further research in open and percutaneous access training is necessary to simulate real-life situations. This training method can be used in a multistep training programme, in combination with realistic moulage and perfused cadaver models.

Feasibility Study Vascular Access and REBOA Placement: From Zero to Hero.

BACKGROUND: Vascular access is a necessary prerequisite for REBOA placement in patients with severe hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: During an EVTM workshop, 10 Special Forces (SOF) medics, five combat nurses, four military nonsurgeon physicians, and four military surgeons participated in our training program. The military surgeons functioned as the control group. A formalized curriculum was constructed including basic anatomy and training in access materials for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) placement. Key skills were (1) preparation of endovascular toolkit, (2) achieving vascular access in the model, and (3) bleeding control with REBOA. RESULTS: The baseline knowledge of anatomy for SOF medics was significantly less than that for nurses and physicians. Medics had a median time of 3:59 minutes to sheath insertion; nurses, 2:47; physicians, 2:34; and surgeons, 1:39. Military surgeons were significantly faster than medics and military nurses (ρ = .037 resp. 0.034). Medics had a median total time from start to REBOA inflation of 5:05 minutes; nurses, 4:06; military physicians, 3:36; and surgeons, 2:36. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a comprehensive theoretical and practical training program using a task training model can be used for percutaneous femoral access and REBOA placement training of military medical personnel without prior ultrasound or endovascular experience. Higher levels of training reduce procedure times.