The Management Of Head Injuries On Military Operations

Abstract

The management of head injured patients has recently been reviewed with the development of civilian guidelines for best practice. These are common injuries which often have significant sequelae for patients and costs for health care providers. Evolving civilian standards of care have implications for military medicine which is often practised in challenging environments. Considerable planning and resources are necessary to meet these standards in an operational environment. The current standards and the problems of applying them in an operational theatre are discussed.

Operational Anaesthesia for the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

“…The treatment of the injury can be highly complex, from the point of initial wounding, surgical intervention, intensive care and ultimately rehabilitation. It has been recognized that mild, moderate and severe brain injuries have become a major focus of military medical services during current operations due to the high levels of kinetic activity [1]. Changing patterns of head injury are being seen, with a penetrating injury now often also as a result of blast as well as direct ballistic injuries [1].…”

“…It has been recognized that mild, moderate and severe brain injuries have become a major focus of military medical services during current operations due to the high levels of kinetic activity [1]. Changing patterns of head injury are being seen, with a penetrating injury now often also as a result of blast as well as direct ballistic injuries [1]. The management of traumatic brain injury raises many issues to be considered (Table 1).…”