Wounding Patterns for U.S. Marines and Sailors during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Major Combat Phase

Abstract

This investigation examined the wounds incurred by 279 U.S. Navy-Marine personnel (97% Marines and 3% sailors) identified as wounded in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, from March 23 through April 30, 2003. The goal was to assess the potential impact of each causative agent by comparing the differences in anatomical locations, types of injuries caused, and medical specialists needed to treat the casualties. The overall average number of diagnoses per patient was 2.2, and the overall average number of anatomical locations was 1.6. The causative agents were classified into six major categories, i.e., small arms, explosive munitions, motor vehicle accidents, falls, weaponry accidents, and other/unknown. Explosive munitions and small arms accounted for approximately three of four combat-related injuries. Upper and lower extremities accounted for approximately 70% of all injuries, a percentage consistent for battlefield injuries since World War II.

The reflection of the Syrian civil war to emergency department and assessment of hospital costs

“…In other studies, extremity injuries ranked first. [4,[9][10][11] In agreement with the literature, it was seen that extremities were the most commonly involved structures in our cases. This may suggest that structures with mobility are vulnerable in terms of injuries and may be more excessively involved.…”

Head, Face, and Neck Injuries During Operation Iraqi Freedom II: Results From the US Navy and Marine Corps Combat Trauma Registry

“…During the major combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF-I), US Navy and Marine Corps forces wounded in action sustained approximately 19% of all wounds to the head, face, or neck. 9 Despite the prevalence of head, face, and neck injuries during war, few studies have addressed the severity and types of these injuries. An analysis of wounds to the head, face, and neck would facilitate the determination of resource needs of future operations as well as potential improvements to modern individual body armor with respect to the head, face, and neck.…”

Análisis del agente lesivo en la baja de combate: Experiencia de la Sanidad Militar española desplegada en Herat (Afganistán)

“…A pesar Tabla 5. Distribución por autores del mecanismo lesivo empleado [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] . de ser conflictos diferentes, presentan gran similitud desde un punto de vista logístico-operativo y asistencial.…”

“…Este dato es semejante al obtenido en prácticamente la totalidad de estudios anglosajones que analizan las bajas atendidas en los conflictos más recientes 36-38, 40-42,45-50 . Este hecho también es característico del enfrentamiento entre tropas profesionales e insurgentes, ocurrido en ambiente urbano, desértico o montañoso y en la denominada «guerra asimétrica» [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] . Entre otros factores, se puede destacar que las medidas de protección pasiva (blindaje de vehículos, casco y chaleco antifragmentos) y la rápida evacuación hasta una instalación médica, reducen la morbimortalidad en los heridos que han sufrido lesiones por arma de fuego y por explosivos (en inglés Improvised Explosive Device, IED).…”