ABSTRACT
An 11-month-old cat was referred following a road traffic accident with non-weightbearing forelimb lameness and tachypnoea. A diaphragmatic rupture was repaired two days after trauma. Six days post trauma, a further operation was performed to repair the fractured humerus. As an intramedullary pin was advanced into the bone to achieve stabilisation, acute respiratory arrest occurred. Manual extrathoracic cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately instigated, but the cat did not recover. Postmortem examination identified a high degree of embolic fat occluding pulmonary capillaries. A massive embolic shower was established as the cause of death.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/etiology , Embolism, Fat/veterinary , Humeral Fractures/veterinary , Intraoperative Complications/veterinary , Pulmonary Embolism/veterinary , Respiratory Insufficiency/veterinary , Acute Disease , Animals , Cat Diseases/pathology , Cat Diseases/surgery , Cats , Cause of Death , Embolism, Fat/complications , Embolism, Fat/pathology , Fatal Outcome , Humeral Fractures/complications , Humeral Fractures/surgery , Lung/pathology , Male , Pulmonary Embolism/complications , Pulmonary Embolism/pathology , Respiratory Insufficiency/etiologyABSTRACT
This paper examines the role and implementation of a casualty processing unit (CPU) developed by a multi-service group during Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from review of flight manifests, fleet hospital admission records, 24-hour follow-up of patients admitted to Fleet Hospital 15, and patient chart reviews following Desert Storm. The data indicate the CPU proved to be an effective and practical approach to health care in a combat zone, and provided an increased number of returned-to-duty personnel and timely triage of most seriously wounded combatants. In addition, it provided an opportunity for medical personnel of all branches of the armed services to participate as a team. As a result of this study, we propose consideration be given to use of this type of multi-service facility in future combat arenas.
Subject(s)
Military Medicine , Mobile Health Units/organization & administration , Humans , Saudi Arabia , Triage , United StatesABSTRACT
This article describes a flexible and versatile tri-care triage medical system within a combat arena in which the Navy nurse, integrating with other factions of the military, provided the injured sailor and Marine consistent and optimal care. A systemized approach to casualty flow created a simple, multi-purposed, and accelerated system that proved effective to both fighting troops and military operations. Personal experiences in the Desert Storm arena focused on the advantage of short-distance evacuations.
