The last days: The medical response of United States and allied military teams during the Afghanistan Exodus.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to describe the United States and allied military medical response during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. BACKGROUND: The military withdrawal from Afghanistan concluded with severe hostilities resulting in numerous civilian and military casualties. The clinical care provided by coalition forces capitalized on decades of lessons learned and enabled unprecedented accomplishments. METHODS: In this retrospective, observational analysis, casualty numbers, and operative information was collected and reported from military medical assets in Kabul, Afghanistan. The continuum of medical care and the trauma system, from the point of injury back to the United States was captured and described. RESULTS: Prior to a large suicide bombing resulting in a mass casualty event, the international medical teams managed distinct 45 trauma incidents involving nearly 200 combat and non-combat civilian and military patients over the preceding 3 months. Military medical personnel treated 63 casualties from the Kabul airport suicide attack and performed 15 trauma operations. US air transport teams evacuated 37 patients within 15 hours of the attack. CONCLUSION: Lessons learned from the last 20 years of combat casualty care were successfully implemented during the culmination of the Afghanistan conflict. Ultimately, the effort, teamwork, and system adaptability exemplify not only the attitudes and character of service members who provide modern combat casualty care but also the paramount importance of the battlefield learning health care system. A continued posture to maintain military surgical preparedness in unique environments remain crucial as the US military prepares for the future.Retrospective observational analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level V.

Pure Superior Wall Acetabular Fracture: A Rare Posterior Wall Variant.

CASE: We present a case of a pure superior wall acetabular fracture in an US soldier, caused by a collapsing wall. Although Letournel and Judet classified this pattern as a rare variant of a posterior-superior wall acetabular fracture, it shares features of several patterns and the treatment more closely follows that of the anterior-based elementary patterns. CONCLUSION: The mechanism, incidence, and long-term outcomes of this fracture remain unknown, but improved recognition and proper classification may help to guide treatment. This case highlights 1 patient with this unique pattern and outlines its management and short- to mid-term outcome.

The management of embedded metal fragment patients and the role of chelation Therapy: A workshop of the Department of Veterans Affairs-Walter Reed National Medical Center.

Exposure to retained metal fragments from war-related injuries can result in increased systemic metal concentrations, thereby posing potential health risks to target organs far from the site of injury. Given the large number of veterans who have retained fragments and the lack of clear guidance on how to medically manage these individuals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) convened a meeting of chelation experts and clinicians who care for embedded fragment patients to discuss current practices and provide medical management guidance. Based on this group's clinical expertise and review of published literature, the evidence presented suggests that, at least in the case of lead fragments, short-term chelation therapy may be beneficial for embedded fragment patients experiencing acute symptoms associated with metal toxicity; however, in the absence of clinical symptoms or significantly elevated blood lead concentrations (greater than 80 µg/dL), chelation therapy may offer little to no benefit for individuals with retained fragments and pose greater risks due to remobilization of metals stored in bone and other soft tissues. The combination of periodic biomonitoring to assess metal body burden, longitudinal fragment imaging, and selective fragment removal when metal concentrations approach critical injury thresholds offers a more conservative management approach to caring for patients with embedded fragments.

Risk factors for decreased range of motion and poor outcomes in open periarticular elbow fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors present at the time of injury that predict poor functional outcomes and heterotopic ossification (HO) in open periarticular elbow fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 136 combat-related open elbow fractures from 2003 to 2010. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, treatment variables, and complications were recorded. Functional outcomes were analyzed to determine range of motion (ROM) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Secondary outcome measures included the development of HO, return to duty, and revision operation. RESULTS: At a median 2.7 years from injury the median MEPS was 67.8 (range 30-100) with an average ulnohumeral arc motion of 89°. Bipolar fractures, with periarticular fractures on both sides of the elbow and at least one side containing intra-articular extension, were independently associated with decreased ulnohumeral motion (p=0.02) and decreased MEPS (p<0.004). Additional independent risk factors for decreased ROM included more severe osseous comminution (p=0.001), and increased time to definitive fixation (p=0.03) and HO (p=0.02). More severe soft tissue injury (Gustilo and Anderson fracture type, p=0.02), peripheral nerve injury (p=0.04), and HO (p=0.03) were independently associated with decreased MEPS. HO developed in 65% (89/136) of extremities and was associated with more severe Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) fracture type (p=0.01) and escalating Gustilo and Anderson fracture classification (p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: In the largest series of open elbow fractures, we identified risk factors that portend a poor clinical outcome and decreased ROM. Bipolar elbow fractures, which have not previously been associated with worse results, are particularly prone to decreased ROM and worse outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level IV.

Extremity War Injuries VIII: sequelae of combat injuries.

The 2013 Extremity War Injury symposium focused on the sequelae of combat-related injuries, including posttraumatic osteoarthritis, amputations, and infections. Much remains to be learned about posttraumatic arthritis, and there are few circumstances in which a definitive arthroplasty should be performed in an acutely injured and open joint. Although the last decade has seen tremendous advances in the treatment of combat upper extremity injuries, many questions remain unanswered, and continued research focusing on improving reconstruction of large segmental defects remains critical. Discussion of infection centered on the need for novel methods to reduce the bacterial load following the initial débridement procedures. Novel methods of delivering antimicrobial therapy and anti-inflammatory medications directly to the wound were discussed as well as the need for near real-time assessment of bacterial and fungal burden and further means of prevention and treatment of biofilm formation and the importance of animal models to test therapies discussed. Moderators and lecturers of focus groups noted the continuing need for improved prehospital care in the management of junctional injuries, identified optimal strategies for both surgical repair and/or reconstruction of the ligaments in multiligamentous injuries, and noted the need to mitigate bone mineral density loss following amputation and/or limb salvage as well as the necessity of developing better methods of anticipating and managing heterotopic ossification.

Is time to flap coverage of open tibial fractures an independent predictor of flap-related complications?

OBJECTIVES: The importance of the timing of flap coverage of open tibial shaft fractures remains controversial. Many studies have shown increased complications and infection rates associated with delay in coverage but have not controlled for risk factors that might be associated with both delay in coverage and complications. We hypothesized that the timing of flap coverage of open tibial fractures is not predictive of complications after controlling for known risk factors. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Sixty-nine patients treated for acute tibial fractures (45 tibial shaft, 17 plateau, and 12 pilon fractures) at our center from 2004 through 2009 required 74 flaps. Patients requiring flaps later for wound breakdown or infection were excluded. INTERVENTION: Electronic records and prospective trauma database were reviewed. All fractures were AO classified by a trauma fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was flap complication, defined as infection or other flap-related adverse outcome requiring surgical treatment. Logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: A logistic regression model that separated the first 7 days after injury from subsequent days found no increased risk for days 1 through 7. The odds of complications, and of infection in particular, increased by 11% and 16%, respectively, for each day beyond day 7 (P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Even after controlling for known risk factors for complications, including injury severity, time to flap coverage was a significant predictor of complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The evolution of damage control orthopedics: current evidence and practical applications of early appropriate care.

This article summarizes the evolution of literature and practice related to fracture care in polytrauma patients. Particular emphasis is given to the management of femoral shaft fractures and the concept of damage control in these complex patients. The application of these guidelines in common clinical practice is also discussed.

The utilization of a suture bridge construct for tibiofibular instability during transtibial amputation without distal bridge synostosis creation.

Symptomatic distal tibiofibular instability is a known complication of trauma-related transtibial amputations. Overt proximal tibiofibular dislocations, which are easily recognized on routine radiographs, may occur concurrently with the traumatic injury or amputation. More commonly, however, the proximal tibiofibular joint remains structurally intact in the presence of distal instability due to the loss of the distal syndesmotic structures and damage to the interosseous membrane, resulting in fibular angulation and distal tibiofibular diastasis. Some authors have espoused treating this instability with the creation of a distal tibiofibular bridge synostosis (the so-called Ertl procedure or modifications there of) to prevent potentially painful discordant motion and to minimize the prominence of the residual distal fibula. Recent studies, however, have suggested an increase in complication and reoperation rates in transtibial amputations that received a bridge synostosis compared with standard transtibial amputations. Additionally, although there are several described techniques for bridge synostosis creation, most are dependent on having sufficient remaining fibula to construct the bone bridge without unnecessary shortening of the tibia; however, sufficient residual fibula is not always available after traumatic and trauma-related amputations. We propose a technique utilizing a suture bridge to restore tibiofibular stability when performing transtibial amputations in patients with proximal tibiofibular dislocations or distal diastasis, avoiding the potential need for a distal bridge synostosis.

Combat-related hemipelvectomy.

Traumatic and trauma-related hemipelvectomies are rare and severe life-threatening injuries. Rapid hemostasis, early aggressive resuscitation, amputation completion, and wound debridement are the mainstays of initial treatment. Second-look debridements and delayed wound closure are mandatory. A multidisciplinary team is necessary in order to treat associated injuries as well assist with eventual rehabilitation. Adherence to specific treatment tenants outlined herein may minimize mortality and secondary morbidity, improving patient outcomes following these devastating injuries.

Extrapolation of battlefield resuscitative care to the civilian setting.

Experiences in treating wartime casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan have already led to changes in civilian trauma care practices. While advances in the care of civilian musculoskeletal injuries are likely as a result of ongoing military basic and clinical research, major advances in resuscitative care have already been realized. Early liberal use of tourniquets to control bleeding from combat-associated extremity trauma has led to decreased mortality. Military experience has demonstrated that use of temporary intravascular shunts is effective for mitigating ischemic injury from vascular trauma until definitive repair can be accomplished. Hemostatic dressings have improved the surgeon's hemorrhage control armamentarium. Clinical experience with hypotensive resuscitation has led to refinement and improvement in the technique. Use of recombinant factor VIIa has improved hemorrhage control in the context of brain injury and coagulopathy and increasing the ratio of plasma to red cells during early shock resuscitation has improved survival.

Operative treatment of a complete rupture of the origination of the rectus femoris.

A 23-year-old male athlete reported both feeling and hearing a pop in his anterior thigh while sprinting. This was followed by immediate pain and an inability to walk. He had swelling and tenderness in his inguinal region. Radiographs were normal. An magnetic resonance imaging revealed a complete avulsion of the rectus femoris from its origin on the anterior inferior iliac spine. Following discussions of his treatment options, the patient chose to undergo operative management of the injury. A surgical repair was performed of the tendon of the direct head to the anterior inferior iliac spine through bone tunnels. He had a full recovery over the next 6 months and subsequently returned to unrestricted active military duty.

A prospective, randomized evaluation of arthroscopic stabilization versus nonoperative treatment in patients with acute, traumatic, first-time shoulder dislocations.

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative treatment of traumatic shoulder dislocations leads to a high rate of recurrent dislocations. HYPOTHESIS: Early arthroscopic treatment for shoulder dislocation will result in a lower recurrence rate than nonoperative treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Two groups of patients were studied to compare nonoperative treatment with arthroscopic Bankart repair for acute, traumatic shoulder dislocations in young athletes. Fourteen nonoperatively treated patients underwent 4 weeks of immobilization followed by a supervised rehabilitation program. Ten operatively treated patients underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with a bioabsorbable tack followed by the same rehabilitation protocol as the nonoperatively treated patients. The average follow-up was 36 months. RESULTS: Three patients were lost to follow-up. Twelve nonoperatively treated patients remained for follow-up. Nine of these (75%) developed recurrent instability. Six of the nine have required subsequent open Bankart repair for recurrent instability. Of the nine operatively treated patients available for follow-up, only one (11.1%) developed recurrent instability. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic stabilization of traumatic, first-time anterior shoulder dislocations is an effective and safe treatment that significantly reduces the recurrence rate of shoulder dislocations in young athletes when compared with conventional, nonoperative treatment.