Surgery in the field during the Lebanon War, 1982: doctrine, experience and prospects for future changes

During the Lebanon War, 1982, the Medical Corps of the Israel Defense Forces provided its mobile surgical units with sophisticated equipment, enabling them to perform advanced resuscitation and lifesaving surgical procedures, as well as pre- and postoperative intensive care, under conditions similar to those in rear hospitals. The surgical theaters and the intensive care units were deployed in spacious, mobile, expandable, environmentally controlled shelters. Primary medical treatment was provided to the wounded, followed by prompt evacuation to rear hospitals whenever possible. In addition, the best possible medical equipment was provided to competent medical personnel located in close proximity to the combat zone. This combination proved to be highly efficient in saving lives as well as cost effective. The lessons learned from deploying the surgical units in Lebanon have been evaluated and analyzed, resulting in updated concepts and doctrines that will optimize the medical support to combat units in the future.