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Managing Traumatic Brain Injury: Translating Military Guidelines to the Wilderness
Edward J Otten1, Warren C Dorlac1
1University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (Dr Otten) and the Medical Center of the Rockies, University of Colorado, Loveland, CO (Dr Dorlac).
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine
|May 15, 2017
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) management on the battlefield offers valuable insights for austere environments. Basic TBI recognition and secondary injury prevention are achievable with minimal resources and training.
Area of Science:
- Military medicine
- Emergency medicine
- Neurotrauma
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prevalent injury among soldiers.
- Field TBI management principles are transferable to wilderness and disaster settings.
- TBI diagnosis is challenging, even in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
- To outline TBI management strategies for field settings.
- To emphasize the prevention of secondary injuries in austere environments.
Main Methods:
- Review of battlefield TBI management protocols.
- Adaptation of clinical TBI recognition criteria for field use.
- Guidance on resource-efficient TBI care.
Main Results:
- TBI definition and recognition are feasible in austere settings.
- Basic TBI management can be implemented with limited training.
- Strategies exist to prevent secondary injuries using available resources.
Conclusions:
- Field TBI management is critical for military medics and applicable elsewhere.
- Accessible TBI education can improve outcomes in resource-limited environments.
- Prioritizing TBI recognition and secondary injury prevention enhances patient survival and recovery.
