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Neurology and the military: Five new things
Jack W Tsao1, Aimee L Alphonso1, Sarah C Griffin1
1US Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (JWT), Falls Church, VA; Department of Neurology (JWT, GSFL), F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda; Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (ALA, SCG), Bethesda, MD; and Harvard Medical School (IRY), Boston, MA.
Advances in rapid medical treatment, including hypertonic saline and decompressive craniectomies, have improved survival rates for US service members in recent conflicts, despite high rates of traumatic brain injury and limb loss.
Area of Science:
- Military medicine
- Trauma surgery
- Neurological surgery
Background:
- Recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in unprecedented survival rates for US service members.
- These conflicts present a high incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and limb loss.
- Improved survival is linked to advancements in far-forward medical interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the medical advancements contributing to high survival rates in recent conflicts.
- To highlight the challenges faced by service members with limb loss and TBI.
- To discuss the growing interest in managing phantom limb pain and developing advanced prostheses.
Main Methods:
- Review of medical treatment protocols for combat casualties.
- Analysis of survival statistics in relation to medical interventions.
- Examination of rehabilitation strategies for amputees.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in survival rates for US service members in Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
- Effective management of elevated intracranial pressure through hypertonic saline and decompressive craniectomies.
- Increased focus on rehabilitation for the growing population of service members with limb loss.
Conclusions:
- Far-forward medical treatment has dramatically improved combat casualty survival.
- Managing TBI and limb loss requires ongoing research and advanced rehabilitation techniques.
- The development of advanced prostheses and effective phantom limb pain management are critical for returning service members.
