Effectiveness of a specific trauma training on war-related truncal injury management: A pre-post study.

BACKGROUND: Non-Compressible Torso Hemorrhage (NCTH) is the leading cause of preventable death in combat casualty care. To enhance the French military surgeons' preparedness, the French Military Health Service designed the Advanced Course for Deployment Surgery (ACDS) in 2008. This study evaluates behavioral changes in war surgery practice since its implementation. METHODS: Data were extracted from the OPEX® registry, which recorded all surgical activity during deployment from 2003 to 2021. All patients treated in French Role 2 or 3 Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) deployed in Afghanistan, Mali, or Chad requiring emergency surgery for NCTH were included. The mechanism of injury, severity, and surgical procedures were noted. Surgical care produced before (Control group) and after the implementation of the ACDS course (ACDS group) were compared. RESULTS: We included 189 trauma patients; 99 in the ACDS group and 90 in the Control group. Most injuries were combat-related (88 % of the ACDS and 82 % of the Control group). The ACDS group had more polytrauma (42% vs. 27 %; p= 0.034) and more e-FAST detailed patients (35% vs. 21 %; p= 0.044). Basics in surgical trauma care were similar between both groups, with a tendency in the ACDS group toward less digestive diversion (n= 6 [6 %] vs. n= 12 [13 %]; p= 0.128), more temporary closure with abdominal packing (n= 17 [17 %] vs. n= 10 [11 %]; p= 0.327), and less re-operation for bleeding (n= 0 [0 %] vs. n= 5 [6 %]; p= 0.046). CONCLUSION: The French model of war trauma course succeeded in keeping specialized surgeons aware of the basics of damage control surgery. The main improvements were better use of preoperative imaging and better management of seriously injured patients.

3D printing in anatomical lung segmentectomies: A randomized pilot trial.

Objective: This pilot study evaluated the impact of using a 3D printed model of the patient's bronchovascular lung anatomy on the mental workload and fatigue of surgeons during full thoracoscopic segmentectomy. Design: We performed a feasibility pilot study of a prospective randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel arms. All included patients underwent digital 3D visual reconstruction of their bronchovascular anatomy and were randomized into the following two groups: Digital arm (only a virtual 3D model was available) and Digital + Object arm (both virtual and printed 3D models were available). The primary end-point was the surgeons' mental workload measured using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) score. Setting: Between October 28, 2020 and October 05, 2021, we successively investigated all anatomic segmentectomies performed via thoracoscopy in the Thoracic Department of the Montsouris Mutualiste Institute, except for S6 segmentectomies and S4+5 left bi-segmentectomies. Participants: We assessed 102 patients for anatomical segmentectomy. Among the, 40 were randomly assigned, and 34 were deemed analysable, with 17 patients included in each arm. Results: Comparison of the two groups, each comprising 17 patients, revealed no statistically significant difference in primary or secondary end-points. The consultation of the visual digital model was significantly less frequent when a 3D printed model was available (6 versus 54 consultations, p = 0.001). Notably, both arms exhibited high NASA-TLX scores, particularly in terms of mental demand, temporal demand, and effort scores. Conclusion: In our pilot study, 3D printed models and digital 3D reconstructions for pre-operative planning had an equivalent effect on thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy for experienced surgeons. The originality of this study lies in its focus on the impact of 3D printing of bronchovascular anatomy on surgeons, rather than solely on the surgical procedure.

Ultra-forward surgical support for special operations forces. Conception, development and certification of the French Special Operations Surgical Team (SOST) airborne capability.

When special operations forces (SOF) are in action, a surgical team (SOST) is usually ground deployed as close as possible to the combat area, to try and provide surgical support within the golden hour. The French SOST is composed of 6 people: 2 surgeons, 1 scrub nurse, 1 anaesthetist, 1 anesthetic nurse and 1 SOF paramedic. It can be deployed in 45 min under a tent or in a building. However, some tactical situations prevent the ground deployment. A solution is to deploy the SOST in a tactical unprepared aircraft hold, to make it possible to offer DCS, to treat non-compressible exsanguinating trauma, without any ground logistical footprint. This article describes the stages of the design, development and certification process of the airborne SOST capability. The authors report the modifications and adaptations of the equipment and the surgical paradigms which make it possible to solve the constraints linked to the aeronautical and combat environment. Study type/level of evidence Care management Level of Evidence IV.

Early Evaluation of a New French Surgery Course in the Best Practice of Dealing With Major Incidents and Mass Casualty Events.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a nationwide 5-month course aimed to prepare surgeons for Major Incidents through the acquisition of key knowledge and competencies. Learners' satisfaction was also measured as a secondary objective. DESIGN: This course was evaluated thanks to various teaching efficacy metrics, mainly based on Kirkpatrick's hierarchy in medical education. Gain in knowledge of participants was evaluated by multiple-choice tests. Self-reported confidence was measured with 2 detailed pre and post training questionnaires. SETTING: Creation in 2020 of a nationwide, optional and comprehensive Surgical Training in War and Disaster Situation as part of the French surgery residency program. In 2021, data was gathered regarding the impact of the course on participants' knowledge and competencies. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 26 students in the 2021 cohort (13 residents and 13 practitioners). RESULTS: Mean scores were significantly higher in the post-test compared to the pre-test, showing significant increase in participants' knowledge during the course: 73,3% vs. 47,3% respectively (p ≤ 0.001). Average learners' confidence scores to perform technical procedures showed at least a +1-point increase on the Likert scale for 65% of items tested (p ≤ 0.001). 89% of items showed at least a +1-point increase on the Likert scale when it came to average learners' confidence score on dealing with complicated situations (p ≤ 0.001). Our post-training satisfaction survey showed that 92% of all participants have noticed the impact of the course on their daily practice. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the third level of Kirkpatrick's hierarchy in medical education was reached. This course therefore appears to be meeting the objectives set by the Ministry of Health. Being only 2 years old, it is on the road to gathering momentum and further development.

Full subcostal subxiphoid robotic-assisted radical thymectomy: preclinical cadaveric study for optimizing patient positioning, table settings, and port configuration.

Robotic subxiphoid transthoracic thymectomy showed several surgical advantages. Nevertheless, the intercostal insertion of trocars may lead to nerve injury with enhanced post-operative pain. Moreover, the dissection of peri-diaphragmatic mediastinal fat may result challenging, in particular on left side, where the presence of the heart precludes the optimal visualization. We describe a preclinical cadaveric study of a novel full subcostal robotic-assisted technique to overcome these limitations. A total subcostal robotic-assisted radical thymectomy was evaluated on a cadaver model using the da Vinci Xi system. The exploratory procedure was divided in two steps: (a) dissection of the thymus gland, except the left mediastinal epi-diaphragmatic fat pad; (b) dissection of the left diaphragmatic mediastinal fat pad avoiding heart compression while perfectly visualizing the left phrenic nerve. Five different setups were explored based on camera and trocars insertions, patient's positioning and table's settings. Both the tasks were accomplished using the novel technique. The subxiphoid insertion of the camera and the position of two robotic arms about 8 cm distally on the subcostal made the most part of mediastinal dissection straightforward. Left peri-diaphragmatic fat pad can be better visualized and dissected positioning the camera in the left subcostal port shifting the instruments on the right side. This may permit a better control of the left phrenic nerve reducing heart compression. Full subcostal robotic-assisted thymectomy resulted feasible in cadaveric model. Clinical trial should be performed to confirm the translational use of this novel technique and the speculated advantages in living model.

Prolonged tactical tourniquet application for extremity combat injuries during war against terrorism in the Sahelian strip.

PURPOSE: This study reports on complications following extended tourniquet application in patients with combat extremity injuries treated by the French Military Health Service in the Sahelian strip. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed in a French forward medical treatment facility deployed in Gao, Mali, between 2015 and 2020. All patients treated for an extremity injury with the application of at least one tourniquet for a minimum of 3 h were included. Prehospital data were injury pattern, associated shock, tourniquet location, and duration. Subsequent complications and surgical procedures performed were analyzed. RESULTS: Eleven patients with a mean age of 27.4 years (range 21-35 years) were included. They represented 39% of all patients in whom a tourniquet was applied. They had gunshot wounds (n = 7) or multiple blast injuries (n = 4) and totaled 14 extremity injuries requiring tourniquet application. The median ISS was 13 (interquartile range: 13). Tourniquets were mostly applied proximally on the limb for a mean duration of 268 min (range 180-360 min). Rhabdomyolysis was present in all cases. The damage control surgeries included debridement, external fixation, vascular repair, and primary amputation. Ten injuries were complicated by compartment syndrome requiring leg or thigh fasciotomy in the field or after repatriation. Two severely injured patients died of their wounds, but the others had a favorable outcome even though secondary amputation was sometimes required. CONCLUSIONS: Extended and proximal tourniquet applications led to significant morbidity related to compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. Hemorrhagic shock, mass casualty incident, and tactical constraints often precluded revising the temporary tourniquet applied under fire.

Effectiveness of Short Training in Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) by Emergency Physicians: The Applied Course for Internal Aortic Clamping on Field Mission.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a technique that uses internal clamping of the aorta to control abdominal, pelvic, or junctional bleeding. We created a course to train military physicians in both civilian prehospital use and battlefield use. To determine the effectiveness of this training, we conducted REBOA training for French military emergency physicians. METHODS: We trained 15 military physicians, organizing the training as follows: a half-day of theoretical training, a half-day of training on mannequins, a half-day on human corpses, and a half-day on a living pig. The primary endpoint was the success rate after training. We defined success as the balloon being inflated in zone 1 of a PryTime mannequin. The secondary endpoints were the progression of each trainee during the training, the difference between the median completion duration before and after training, the median post-training duration, and the median duration for the placement of the sheath introducer before and after training. RESULTS: Fourteen of the physicians (93%) correctly placed the balloon in the mannequin at the end of the training period. During the training, the success rate increased from 73% to 93% (p = .33). The median time for REBOA after training was only 222 seconds (interquartile range [IQR] 194-278), significantly faster than before training (330 seconds, IQR 260-360.5; p = .0033). We also found significantly faster sheath introducer placement (148 seconds, IQR 126-203 versus 145 seconds, IQR 115.5 - 192.5; p = .426). CONCLUSION: The training can be performed successfully and paves the way for the use of REBOA by emergency physicians in austere conditions.

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy localization of lung nodules for thoracoscopic resection.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic localization of small peripheral pulmonary nodules is a concern. Failure can lead to larger parenchymal resection or conversion to thoracotomy. This study evaluates our experience in preoperative electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy-guided localization of small peripheral lung lesions. METHODS: From January 2017 to March 2020 clinical, radiographic, surgical, and pathological data of patients who underwent electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB)-guided methylene blue pleural marking of highly suspected pulmonary lesions before a full thoracoscopic resection were evaluated. Localization was performed for solid or mixed subpleural nodules measuring <10 mm, solid nodules measuring <20 mm located at more than 1 cm from the pleura and any pure ground glass opacity. Successful localization was defined as successful identification and thoracoscopic resection of target lesions. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were included: 30 solid nodules (63%), 12 pure GGO (25%) and 6 mixed (13%). The median largest diameter at CT-scan was 11 mm (IQR, 9-14 mm) while the median distance from the pleural surface was 12 mm (IQR, 6-16 mm). The median ENB length was 25 min (19-33 min). Localization procedure was successful in 45 cases (94%). No procedural-related complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: ENB is a safe and accurate preoperative procedure to localize small lung peripheral lesions. The high successful rate, the absence of related complications, the possibility of performing the procedure in the same operating room with a single general anesthesia, make ENB-guided dye marking an advantageous tool for thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.

Thoracoscopic complex basilar segmentectomies: an analysis of 63 procedures.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic complex basilar segmentectomies are technically demanding and challenging. We review our experience to check whether this complexity can lead to specific surgical issues or increased post-operative morbidity. METHODS: Complex basilar segmentectomies were defined as the anatomical resection of at least one segment composing the basilar pyramid, excluding S6. Data of patients who had an intention-to-treat thoracoscopic complex basilar segmentectomy were retrospectively collected from 2007 to 2019: indications, preoperative assessment, clinical features, operative technical aspects and early post-operative outcome. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients, 26 men (41%) and 37 women (59%) with a median age of 66 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 26 kg/m2 were included. Interventions performed were mostly S9+10 (n=32) and S8 (n=12) segmentectomies. Forty-five planned operations (71%) were completed. Extension to a larger resection was necessary in 17 patients (27%) and 4 patients underwent conversion to open surgery (6%). Median operative time was 168 minutes with a median intraoperative bleeding of 30 mL. Complications occurred in 11 patients (17%). There was no mortality. Median length of pleural drainage was 2 days (range, 1-2 days) and median hospital stay 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: The extension rate of complex basilar segmentectomy is higher than that of other sublobar resections but their post-operative morbidity is identical.

Traum'cast: an online, open-access educational video podcast series for teaching military trauma care to all healthcare providers.

The aim of this paper was to describe the development of 'Traum'cast', an ambitious project to create a high-quality, open-access, 12-week video podcast programme providing evidence-based continuing medical education for civilian and military healthcare practitioners dedicated to the management of trauma caused by weapons of war. The management of such patients became a particular public health issue in France following the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, which highlighted the need for all healthcare professionals to have appropriate knowledge and training in such situations. In 2016, the French Health General Direction asked the French Military Medical Service (FMMS) to create a task force and to use its unique and considerable experience to produce high-quality educational material on key themes including war injuries, combat casualty care, triage, damage control surgery, transfusion strategies, psychological injury and rehabilitation. The material was produced by FMMS and first broadcast in French and for free, on the official FMMS YouTube channel in September 2020. Traum'cast provides evidence-based continuing medical education for civilian and military healthcare practitioners. Traum'cast is an educational innovation that meets a public health requirement.

A decade in the battlefield (2004-2014): A French military perspective on the high mortality associated with non-exclusively orthopedic or brain combat injuries.

BACKGROUND: During the last few decades, French armed forces have regularly deployed in asymmetric conflicts. Surgical support for casualties of these conflicts occurs in NATO role 2 and 3 medical treatment facilities (MTF); definitive surgical care occurs in France following a strategic medical evacuation. The aim of this study was to describe the combat injury profile of these soldiers who presented with either non-exclusively orthopedic and/or brain injuries. METHODS: This descriptive study is a retrospective analysis of the surgical management of French casualties performed in role 2 or 3 MTF in Afghanistan, Mali, Niger, Djibouti and the Central African Republic between January 2004 and December 2014. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included. Forty had fragment wounds. The most severe lesions were of the head, neck or thorax. The average injury severity score (ISS) was 34.9 (IC 95% 29.8-40). 17 damage control procedures were performed. Thirty patients died with a mean ISS of 61 (IC 95% 56-67); 5 deaths were considered as preventable. The most frequent surgical procedures in the MTF were digestive (n=31) and thoracic surgery (n=19). Thirty patients needed second-look surgery in France; eleven had severe complications. No patient died following medical evacuation to France. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicated that the mortality following non-exclusively brain or orthopedic injuries remains high in modern asymmetric conflicts. Level of Evidence IV.

Deployment of the Surgical Life-saving Module (SLM) in 2017: Lessons learned in setting up and training operational surgical units.

INTRODUCTION: The military operations carried out by the French armed forces, occasionally require the use of the Surgical Life-saving Module (SLM), to ensure the surgical support of its soldiers. Due to its extreme mobility and capacity of fast deployment, SLM is particularly useful in small-scale military operations, such as Special Forces missions. In 2017, the French SLM was for the first time used to ensure surgical support of allied forces, which were lacking forward surgical capabilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the SLM is a mobile, heliborne, airborne, surgical structure with parachuting capability onto land or sea, therefore essentially focused on life-saving procedures, also known as "damage control" surgery. Due to the need for mobility and rapid implementation, the SLM is limited to a maximum of 5 interventions or, in terms of injuries, to 1 or 2 seriously injured patients. RESULTS: Over a period of 2 months, 5 medical teams were successively deployed with the SLM. A total of 157 casualties were treated. The most common injuries were caused by shrapnel 561%), followed by firearms (36%), and blunt trauma (2.5%). Injuries included the limbs (56%), thorax (18%), abdomen (13%), head (11%), and neck (2%). The average ISS was 8.5 (1-25) with 26 patients presenting with an ISS greater than or equal to 15. The average NISS was 10.8 (1-75) with 34 casualties having an NISS equal to or greater than 15. The surgical procedures were broken down as follows: 126 dressings, 16 laparotomies, 7 thoracotomies, 12 isolated thoracic drains (without thoracotomy), 1 cervicotomy, 12 amputations, 7 limb splints, 2 limb fasciotomies, 2 external fixators and 1 femoral fracture traction. CONCLUSIONS: The numerous SLM deployments in larger operations highlighted its ability to adapt both in terms of equipment and personnel. Continuous management of equipment logistics, robust personnel training, and appropriate organization of the evacuation procedures, were the key elements for optimizing combat casualty care. As a consequence, the SLM appears to be an operational surgical unit of choice during deployments.

Surgical management of penetrating thoracic injuries during the Paris attacks on 13 November 2015.

OBJECTIVES: The Paris terrorist attacks on 13 November 2015 caused 482 casualties, including 130 deaths and 352 wounded. Facing these multisite terrorist attacks, Parisian public and military hospitals simultaneously managed numerous patients with penetrating thoracic injuries. The aim of this study was to analyse this cohort, the injury patterns, and assess the results of this mobilization. METHODS: The clinical records of all patients admitted to Parisian public and military hospitals with a penetrating thoracic injury related to the Paris 13 November terrorist attacks were reviewed. RESULTS: The study group included 25 patients (7% of the casualties) with a mean age of 34 ± 8 years and a majority of gunshot wounds ( n = 20, 80%). Most patients presented with severe thoracic injury (Abbreviated Injury Score Thorax 3.3 ± 1.2), and also associated non-thoracic injuries in 21 cases (84%). The mean Injury Severity Score was 26.8 ± 9.4. Eight patients (32%) were managed with chest tube insertion and 17 (68%) required thoracic surgery. Lung resection, diaphragmatic repair, and lung suture were performed in 6 (36%), 6 (35%), and 5 cases (29%), respectively. Extra-thoracic surgical procedures were performed in 16 patients, mostly for injuries to the extremities. Postoperative mortality was 12% ( n = 3) and postoperative morbidity was 60% ( n = 15). CONCLUSIONS: The coordination of Parisian military and civilian hospitals allowed the surgical management of 25 patients. The mortality is high but consistent with what has been reported in previous series. The current times expose us to the threat of new terrorist attacks and require that the medical community be prepared.

Chest trauma: First 48hours management.

Chest trauma remains an issue for health services for both severe and apparently mild trauma management. Severe chest trauma is associated with high mortality and is considered liable for 25% of mortality in multiple traumas. Moreover, mild trauma is also associated with significant morbidity especially in patients with preexisting conditions. Thus, whatever the severity, a fast-acting strategy must be organized. At this time, there are no guidelines available from scientific societies. These expert recommendations aim to establish guidelines for chest trauma management in both prehospital an in hospital settings, for the first 48hours. The "Société française d'anesthésie réanimation" and the "Société française de médecine d'urgence" worked together on the 7 following questions: (1) criteria defining severity and for appropriate hospital referral; (2) diagnosis strategy in both pre- and in-hospital settings; (3) indications and guidelines for ventilatory support; (4) management of analgesia; (5) indications and guidelines for chest tube placement; (6) surgical and endovascular repair indications in blunt chest trauma; (7) definition, medical and surgical specificity of penetrating chest trauma. For each question, prespecified "crucial" (and sometimes also "important") outcomes were identified by the panel of experts because it mattered for patients. We rated evidence across studies for these specific clinical outcomes. After a systematic Grade® approach, we defined 60 recommendations. Each recommendation has been evaluated by all the experts according to the DELPHI method.

Endovascular treatment of brachiocephalic artery war-related injury.

INTRODUCTION: Injuries to the innominate artery are rare, but potentially fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment may avoid life-threatening complications. Endovascular surgery often has lower morbidity and mortality rates than conventional surgery. CLINICAL CASE: We reported the case of a 28-year-old Yemenite soldier who presented with a shrapnel-related chest puncture wound following a shell explosion in Djibouti causing a 5 mm pseudoaneurysm of the innominate artery without associated complications. After medical repatriation to France, the pseudoaneurysm was treated by endovascular exclusion using a covered stent. DISCUSSION: Endovascular treatment of supra-aortic trunk lesions is an alternative to surgery with fewer postoperative complications, but long-term follow-up is lacking.

Challenges in war-related thoracic injury faced by French military surgeons in Afghanistan (2009-2013).

BACKGROUND: This study reports the challenges faced by French military surgeons in the management of thoracic injury during the latest Afghanistan war. METHODS: From January 2009 to April 2013, all of the civilian, French and Coalition casualties admitted to French NATO Combat Support Hospital situated on Kabul were prospectively recorded in the French Military Health Service Registry (OPEX(®)). Only penetrating and blunt thoracic trauma patients were retrospectively included. RESULTS: Eighty-nine casualties were included who were mainly civilian (61%) and men (94%) with a mean age of 27.9 years old. Surgeons dealt with polytraumas (78%), severe injuries (mean Injury Severity Score=39.2) and penetrating wounds (96%) due to explosion in 37%, gunshot in 53% and stabbing in 9%. Most of casualties were first observed or drained (n=56). In this non-operative group more than 40% of casualties needed further actions. In the operative group, Damage Control Thoracotomy (n=22) was performed to stop ongoing bleeding and air leakage and Emergency Department Thoracotomy (n=11) for agonal patient. Casualties suffered from hemothorax (60%), pneumothorax (39%), diaphragmatic (37%), lung (35%), heart or great vessels (20%) injuries. The main actions were diaphragmatic sutures (n=25), lung resections (wedge n=6, lobectomy n=4) and haemostasis (intercostal artery ligation n=3, heart injury repairs n=5, great vessels injury repairs n=5). Overall mortality was 11%. The rate of subsequent surgery was 34%. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the OPEX(®) registry reflects the thoracic surgical challenges of general (visceral) surgeons serving in combat environment during the latest Afghanistan War.