Postdeployment Fertility Challenges and Treatment in the Modern Era

Abstract

Current war-fighting environments have shifted dramatically over the past decade, and with this change, new types of injuries are afflicting American soldiers. Operative Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have noted an increased use of sophisticated improvised explosive devices by adversaries. Injuries not frequently seen in previous conflict are dismounted complex blast injuries, which involve multiple proximal amputations, pelvic fractures, and extensive perineal wounds. Thus, an unforeseen consequence of the decreased mortality rate after these complex blast injuries is a new wave of U.S. service members facing the challenges of recovering from the catastrophic amputations and genitourinary injuries. New applications of sperm retrieval methods may be used in these specific populations, as they recover and wish to purse family-building goals. Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and considerations unique to the female soldier are explored in this review of urologic care in wounded veterans.