Epidemiology and Outcomes of Peripheral and Non-Aortocaval Vascular Trauma in Scotland 2011 - 2018.

OBJECTIVE: This population based study aimed to examine the demographics, mechanisms, and outcomes of patients in Scotland suffering peripheral and non-aortocaval vascular trauma between 2011 and 2018. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted using prospectively collected data derived from the Scottish Trauma Audit Group (STAG) from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2018. Peripheral and non-aortocaval vascular trauma patients were identified using Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) codes. Demographics, mechanisms, types of injury, severity, and outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Of 30 831 patients admitted with trauma to Scottish hospitals, 569 (1.8%) patients suffered a vascular injury during the eight year study period with 275 (0.9%) patients sustaining a peripheral or non-aortocaval vascular injury. There were 221 (80%) men and 54 (20%) women with a median (range) age of 39 (14 - 88) years. Blunt trauma was responsible for 179 (65%) injuries, of which road traffic accidents were the most common mechanism. A further 67 (24%) injuries were due to penetrating trauma, of which assault was the most common cause. The most common injury was to abdominal arteries (e.g., hepatic, renal, splenic [n = 83]) with an associated mortality rate of 17%. The median (range) Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 16 (4 - 75). Sixteen (6%) patients died in the Emergency Department (ED). Two hundred and twenty-seven (83%) patients were taken to theatre during their admission with a 30 day peri-operative mortality rate of 10%, compared with an overall mortality rate of 16%. Injuries to an abdominal vein (e.g., portal, renal, splenic, superior mesenteric) had the highest number of associated deaths, with 11 (32%) of 34 cases resulting in a fatality. CONCLUSION: There is a low incidence of vascular trauma in Scotland. Blunt force was responsible for more vascular injuries than penetrating trauma. Patients with peripheral and non-aortocaval vascular injuries are likely to be severely injured and suffer a high mortality rate.

Medical equipment trends during the UK military exercise SAIF SAREEA 3 in Oman.

INTRODUCTION: Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 was a joint British-Omani military exercise involving approximately 5500 British personnel deployed to Oman over a 6-month period. Role 1 medical care was provided by medical treatment facilities (MTFs) deployed with medical equipment as per the UK 300 medical module. METHOD: Retrospective analysis was undertaken of prospectively collected equipment usage data from two Role 1 MTFs in Duqm (MTF 1) and Muaskar Al Murtafa (MTF 2) camps over a period of 6-8 weeks. Data were analysed alongside routinely collected epidemiological data (EPINATO) during the deployment. Equipment used in addition to the module was also recorded. RESULTS: MTF 1 used 50 out of the 179 different items from the module over the 8-week period. MTF 2 used 45 out of the 179 different items from their module over the 6-week period. The most commonly used items across the sites were non-sterile examination gloves, plastic aprons, tympanic thermometer probe covers, disinfectant wipes and self-adhesive plasters. Extramodular items (blunt fill needle, water pump sprayer, Jelonet gauze and stool specimen pot) accounted for 5% of all equipment used in MTF 1. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the 300 module accommodates 95% of Role 1 patients' needs but highlights the requirement for dedicated equipment for the treatment of heat casualties if deemed likely and blunt fill/filter needles for the administration of parenteral medication. Commanders must perform a thorough medical estimate and risk assessment prior to deployment to ensure that the 300 medical module is likely to provide the necessary equipment and supplement the module if required.

The pattern of paediatric blast injury in Afghanistan.

INTRODUCTION: Between 2009 and 2015, 3746 children died, and 7904 were injured as a result of armed conflict within Afghanistan. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and explosive remnants of war accounted for 29% of child casualties in 2015. The aim of this study was to review the burden of paediatric blast injuries admitted to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, and to investigate the hypothesis that children suffer proportionally more head injuries than adults. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of prospectively collected data derived from the UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry of ambulant paediatric (aged 2-15 years) admissions with blast injuries at the Role 3 Field Hospital, Camp Bastion from June 2006 to March 2013. The data set included demographic information, injury profile and severity (New Injury Severity Score) and operative findings. The pattern of injuries were investigated by looking at trends in the number and severity of injuries sustained by each body region. RESULTS: During this period, 295 admissions were identified, 76% of whom were male, with an overall mortality rate of 18.5%. The most common blast mechanism was an IED (68%) causing 80% of fatalities. The lower extremities were the most commonly injured body region, accounting for 31% of total injuries and occurring in 62% of cases. 24.3% of children between 2 and 7 years suffered severe head or neck injuries compared with 19.8% of children aged between 8 and 15 years. 34% of head injuries were rated unsurvivable and accounted for 88% of fatalities. 77% of cases required an operation with a mean operating time of 125 min. The most common first operations were debridement of soft tissues (50%), laparotomy (16%) and lower limb amputation (11%). CONCLUSION: Although paediatric blast casualties represented a small percentage of the overall workload at Camp Bastion Role 3 Medical Facility, the pattern of injuries seen suggests that children are more likely to sustain severe head, face and neck injuries than adults.