Episode Details

Military Medicine & WarDocs present: "A Ready Medical Force Special Collection"

MILMED-D-22-00478R1: “An Analysis of Head and Neck Surgical Workload During Recent Combat Operations from 2002-2016”

EPISODE SUMMARY

Discover the critical insights from Dr. Caryn Stern and CDR Shane Jensen, MD on the prevalence of head and neck trauma cases managed by deployed surgeons during recent conflicts. This episode dives into their Military Medicine paper, which analyzes head and neck surgical workload at forward MTF’s spanning 2 decades, and the importance of their findings for our military healthcare teams. Learn how this valuable information can be used to improve training and skill sustainment initiatives for future operations.

We discuss the essential knowledge and skills that general surgeons need to have when deploying, such as those identified in the Individual Critical Task List (ICTL) and the Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSA) project. We stress the importance of having an airway plan for facial fractures, securing an airway for mid-phase instability, and using external fixation for most fractures. We also explore what medics can be trained to do in head and neck injuries requiring a tracheostomy or lateral canthotomy, and the goal of getting life-saving treatment within an hour.

Lastly, we examine the need for specialized teams of head and neck surgeons and the equipment they require to provide comprehensive support to Role 3 Military Treatment Facilities. We discuss the challenges of providing this specialized care, including the need for rapid telehealth support and feedback to those at Roles 1 and 2 MTFs. Don't miss this fascinating episode as we analyze the next steps needed to improve the training and equipping of units for managing head and neck trauma, and the importance of data collection and documentation in making informed decisions.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

(0:00:01) – Trauma Data Collection in Recent Conflicts

(0:13:34) - Combat Medical Procedures and Training

(0:19:18) - Head & Neck Trauma Care in Combat

(0:29:31) – Improving Head & Neck Trauma Care

EPISODE CHAPTER SUMMARIES

(0:00:01) - Trauma Data Collection in Recent Conflicts

We explore the prevalence of head and neck trauma cases managed by deployed surgeons during recent conflicts and how this information can be used to improve training and skill sustainment initiatives for future operations. The authors describe how they gathered data from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry, and how they divided the procedures into five groups: dental, ophthalmologic, airway, ear, face, mandible maxilla, neck, and oral. They discuss how these injuries are prevalent in theater and the importance of their findings.

(0:13:34) - Combat Medical Procedures and Training (6 Minutes)

We discuss the knowledge and skills that general surgeons need to have when deploying, such as the tasks identified in the Individual Critical Task List (ICTL) and the Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSA) project. We bring up the importance of having an airway plan for facial fractures, securing an airway for mid-phase instability, and using external fixation for most fractures. We also touch on the goal of getting life-saving treatment within an hour and explore what medics can be trained to do in head and neck injuries requiring a tracheostomy or lateral canthotomy.

(0:19:18) - Head & Neck Trauma C