BACKGROUND: Combat casualties are frequently injured in austere settings where modern imaging modalities are unavailable. Exploratory laparotomies are often performed in these settings when there is suspicion for intra-abdominal injury. Prior studies of combat casualties reported non-therapeutic laparotomy (NTL) rates as high as 32%. Given improvements in combat casualty care over time, we evaluated NTLs performed during later years of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
METHODS: Military personnel with combat-related injuries (6/1/2009-12/31/2014) who underwent exploratory laparotomy based on concern for abdominal injury (i.e. not performed for proximal vascular control or fecal diversion) and were evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (Germany) before being transferred to participating U.S. military hospitals were assessed. An NTL was defined as a negative laparotomy without substantial intra-abdominal injuries requiring repair. Characteristics, indications for laparotomy, operative findings, and outcomes were examined.
RESULTS: Among 244 patients who underwent laparotomies, 41 (16.8%) had NTLs and 203 (83.2%) had therapeutic laparotomies (i.e. positive findings). Patients with NTLs had more computed tomography scans concerning for injury (48.8% vs 27.1%; p = 0.006), less penetrating injury mechanisms (43.9% vs 71.9%; p < 0.001), and lower Injury Severity Scores (26 vs 33; p = 0.003) compared to patients with therapeutic laparotomies. Patients with NTLs were also less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (70.7 vs 89.2% for patients with therapeutic laparotomies; p = 0.007). No patients with NTLs developed abdominal surgical site infections (SSI) compared to 16.7% of patients with therapeutic laparotomies (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in mortality between the groups (p = 0.198).
CONCLUSIONS: Our proportion of NTLs was lower than reported from earlier years during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. No infectious complications from NTLs (i.e. abdominal SSIs) were identified. Nevertheless, surgeons should continue to have a low threshold for exploratory laparotomy in military patients in austere settings with concern for intra-abdominal injury.

UNASSIGNED: This article deals with combat experiences and their consequences and could be potentially disturbing.
UNASSIGNED: Moral injury (MI) is a severe form of combat trauma that shatters soldiers\' moral bearings as the result of killing in war. Among the myriad ways that moral injury affects veterans\' reintegration into civilian life, its impact on political and societal reintegration remains largely unstudied but crucial for personal, community, and national health.
UNASSIGNED: 13 in-depth interviews examine combat soldiers\' exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) that include killing enemy combatants, harming civilians, and betrayal by commanders, the military system, and society. Interviewees also described their political activities (e.g., voting, fundraising, advocacy, protest) and social activism (e.g., volunteering, teaching, charitable work). Interviewees also completed the Moral Injury Symptom Scale.
UNASSIGNED: Two distinct narratives process PMIEs. In a humanitarian narrative, soldiers hold themselves or their in-group morally responsible for perpetrating, witnessing, or failing to prevent a morally transgressive act such as killing or injuring civilians or placing others at unnecessary risk. In contrast, a national security perspective blames an out-group for leaving soldiers with no choice but to act in ways that trigger moral distress. Associated with shame and guilt, the humanitarian perspective triggered amends-making and social activism after discharge. In contrast, a national security perspective associated with anger and frustration fostered protest and intense political activism.
UNASSIGNED: Despite its harmful health effects, moral trauma and injury can drive intense political and social activism, depending upon the narrative veterans adopt to interpret PMIEs. Aside from moral injury\'s personal, familial, and social effects, moral injury drives veterans\' return to the political arena of civil society. As such, veterans play a central role in politics and dramatically affect post-war policy in democratic nations following conflict.

Military sexual trauma (MST) and combat trauma (CT) survivors experience disproportionate risk for disordered eating. A survey of MST, CT, disordered eating, trauma-related self-blame, emotion regulation challenges, body dissatisfaction, and dissociation among military personnel with a history of military-related trauma was conducted. These survey-based cross-sectional data were analyzed via parallel mediation analyses and Analyses of Covariance (ANCOVA). Six parallel mediation analyses were conducted examining trauma-related self-blame, emotion regulation challenges, body dissatisfaction, and dissociation as mediators linking MST and CT, separately, with purging, restricting, and bingeing. ANCOVAs were also performed to examine differences in levels of bingeing, restriction, and purging among people exposed to MST, CT, both MST and CT, and neither. MST and CT exposure was indirectly related to bingeing via emotion regulation challenges. MST and CT was also indirectly related to both restriction and purging via emotion regulation challenges and trauma-related self-blame. Dissociation and body dissatisfaction were not significant mediators in any model. Participants endorsed high levels of disordered eating. Individuals exposed to both MST and CT reported greater bingeing, restricting, and purging than individuals exposed to either CT, MST, or neither. Findings highlight the nuanced symptoms that may increase risk for disordered eating among MST and/or CT survivors. Future treatment research should explore how addressing emotion regulation and trauma-related self-blame among individuals with MST and/or CT may help address disordered eating. Implications and future directions for this area of research are discussed.

BACKGROUND: Methemoglobinemia, characterized by the conversion of functional hemoglobin to methemoglobin, can significantly impede tissue oxygenation. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of methemoglobinemia are critical to optimizing clinical outcomes. Although the underlying etiology of methemoglobinemia is often attributed to a medication reaction or chemical exposure, its association with battlefield trauma remains underexplored. This case series explores the presence of methemoglobinemia in nine soldiers evacuated from tanks targeted by explosives, shedding new light on screening needs and treatment strategies.
METHODS: Nine combat trauma patients with methemoglobinemia were admitted to Soroka Medical Center over a two-month period. Detailed case descriptions illustrate the diverse presentations and treatment responses. Notably, the administration of methylene blue resulted in rapid methemoglobin reductions and an improvement in oxygenation without any observed side effects.
CONCLUSIONS: This series highlights an unexpected consequence of an explosion within an armored fighting vehicle and the challenges related to standard pulse oximetry interpretation and accuracy in the presence of methemoglobinemia, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring and co-oximetry utilization. Additionally, the coexistence of carboxyhemoglobin further warrants attention due to its synergistic and deleterious effects on oxygen delivery. Collaborative efforts with military authorities should aim to explore the underlying mechanisms associated with trauma and methemoglobinemia and optimize battlefield care.
CONCLUSIONS: This case series underscores the significance of methemoglobinemia screening in combat trauma patients, and advocates for systematic co-oximetry utilization and methylene blue availability in combat zones. Early detection and intervention of methemoglobinemia in combat soldiers are often difficult in the context of battlefield injuries but are necessary to mitigate the potentially fatal consequences of this condition.

Combat trauma experienced in a warzone can hamper the physical, mental, and spiritual health of military service members and Veterans for years afterward. Spiritual care for combat trauma is designed to help service members and Veterans find meaning and purpose in their experiences. One such spiritual care program is REBOOT Combat Recovery, a 12-week, Christian-based course led by trained volunteers across the country. An in-depth investigation of the REBOOT program is needed to advance knowledge of spiritual care for combat trauma and to assess the course in attendees\' own words. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 course graduates. Experiences of the course were positive. Interviewees identified the program\'s emphasis on peer fellowship, spirituality, and the roots of distress as reasons for its effectiveness (RQ1). The most helpful aspects of the program involved the hospitality and family focus; targets for improvement included maintaining fidelity to the curriculum and offering opportunities for continuity upon graduation (RQ2). Interviewees described a variety of ways the course affected their view of self, their relationship with God and others, and their perceptions of combat trauma (RQ3). These findings are valuable for enriching spiritual care, in general, and enhancing the REBOOT Combat Recovery program, in particular.

OBJECTIVE: During hostilities, gunshot wounds are the most common cause of penetrating injuries. In 8-10% of abdominal injuries kidneys are involved. The treatment method include surgical or conservative treatment (fluids + blood components).
METHODS: Of 1266 combat trauma cases treated during 6 to 14 rotation of the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, we extracted a subgroup of 44 kidney injuries. Corelation of trauma mechanism, PATI score, treatment methods, and outcomes was evaluated.
RESULTS: Out of the 41 renal injuries, 20 considered left, 18 right, and 3 both kidneys. There were no statistical significancy in injury lateralization (p = 0.669), and no differences regarding side of a trauma and quantity of blood component used for the treatment (p = 0.246). Nephrectomy was performed on 17 patients (13 left vs. 4 right). A significant correlation between PATI score and the need for a nephrectomy (p = 0.027) was confirmed. Penetrating trauma recquired higher number of blood components comparing to blunt trauma (p < 0.001). The renal salvage rate was in study group was 61.36%. The overall survival (OS) rate was 90.25% - 4 patients died due to trauma.
CONCLUSIONS: The damage side does not result in a statistically significant increase in the need for blood transfusions or differences in the PATI score. The mechanism of trauma does, however, affect the number of blood components required for treatment, particularly in cases of penetrating trauma. With the introduction of proper treatment, the overall survival rate exceeds 90%, even when opting for conservative treatment.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to assess risks/ outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in US combat casualties. We hypothesized that combat trauma patients with ARDS would have worse outcomes based on mechanism of injury (MOI) and labs/vital signs aberrancies.
METHODS: We reviewed data on military Servicemembers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2015 diagnosed with ARDS by ICD-9 code. We extracted patient demographics, injury specifics, and mortality from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DoDTR).
RESULTS: The most common MOI was an explosion, accounting for 67.6% of all injuries. Nonsurvivors were more likely to have explosion-related injuries, have higher injury severity score (ISS), higher international normalized ratio (INR), lower platelet count, greater base deficit, lower temperature, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and lower pH. There was no significant difference in deaths across time.
CONCLUSIONS: By identifying characteristics of patients with higher mortality in trauma ARDS, we can develop treatment guidelines to improve outcomes. Given the high mortality associated with trauma ARDS and relative paucity of clinical data available, we need to improve battlefield data capture to better guide practice and ultimately improve care. The management of ARDS will be increasingly relevant in prolonged casualty care (PCC; formerly prolonged field care) on the modern battlefield.

The United States Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) faced complex blood supply challenges during two decades of military operations in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and through an adaptive, responsive, and agile system, gained valuable insights on blood product usage in combat casualty care.
A retrospective review of blood product introduction and utilization trends was compiled from ASBP data collected during CENTCOM operations from 2014 through 2021.
During the study period, several blood products were introduced to the CENTCOM area of operations including Low Titer O Whole Blood (LTOWB), Cold-Stored Platelets (CSP), Liquid Plasma (LP), and French Freeze Dried Plasma (FDP) manufactured from U.S. sourced donor plasma, all while expanding Walking Blood Bank capabilities. There was a gradual substitution of component therapy for whole blood; blood utilization peaked in 2017. Transfusion of Fresh Whole Blood (FWB) from Walking Blood Banks decreased as fully pre-tested LTOWB was supplied by the ASBP. LTOWB was initially supplied in citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) anticoagulant (21-day shelf life) but was largely replaced with LTOWB in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) anticoagulant (35-day shelf life) by 2019. Implementation of prehospital transfusion and expansion of surgical and resuscitation teams led to an increase in the number of sites receiving blood.
ASBP introduced new products to its inventory in order to meet changing blood product demands driven by changes in the Joint Trauma System Clinical Practice Guidelines and operational demands. These products were adopted into clinical practice with a resultant evolution in transfusion strategies.

Background: Infection is a frequent and serious complication after combat-related trauma. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score has been shown to have predictive value for outcomes, including sepsis and mortality, among various populations. We evaluated the prognostic ability of SOFA score in a combat-related trauma population. Methods: Combat casualties (2009-2014) admitted to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC; Germany) intensive care unit (ICU) within 4 days post-injury followed by transition to ICUs in military hospitals in the United States were included. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictive effect of selected variables and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate overall accuracy of SOFA score for infection prediction. Results: Of the 748 patients who met inclusion criteria, 436 (58%) were diagnosed with an infection (32% bloodstream, 63% skin and soft tissue, and 40% pulmonary) and were predominantly young (median 24 years) males. Penetrating trauma accounted for 95% and 86% of injuries among those with and without infections, respectively (p < 0.001). Median LRMC admission SOFA score was 7 (interquartile range [IQR]: 4-9) in patients with infections versus 4 (IQR: 2-6) in patients without infections (p < 0.001). Thirty-day mortality was 2% in both groups. On multivariate regression, LRMC SOFA score was independently associated with infection development (odds ratio: 1.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.3). The ROC curve analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.69 for infection prediction, and 0.80 for mortality prediction. Conclusions: The SOFA scores obtained up to 4 days post-injury predict late onset infection occurrence. This study revealed that for every 1 point increase in LRMC SOFA score, the odds of having an infection increases by a factor of 1.2, controlling for other predictors. The use of SOFA score in admission assessments may assist clinicians with identifying those at higher risk of infection following combat-related trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rates and types of open-globe wounds in soldiers admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 2001 to 2011 after sustaining combat injuries.
METHODS: Data were collected in the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database. Inclusion criteria were patients who suffered open-globe injuries. Open-globe injuries were classified by type of wound: corneal, corneo-scleral or scleral, or type of open-globe injury: perforating, rupture, penetrating or intraocular foreign body. The primary analysis assessed the effect on final visual acuity (VA) and the risk of enucleation.
RESULTS: In this study, 285 (32.02%) open-globe injuries were recorded in 890 eyes in the data set. Corneal wounds were noted in 127 (44.56%) eyes, corneo-scleral wounds in 78 (27.37%) and scleral wounds in 129 (45.26%) eyes. The involvement of both the corneal and sclera was associated with poorer visual outcome (BCVA < 20/200) compared to injuries with an injury confined to either the cornea or scleral alone (p = 0.038). At a wound length of greater than approximately 14 mm, patients had 75% chance of having a poor final VA. Enucleation was performed in 64 (22.46%) eyes of patients with wounds. The type of wound was not found to be predictive of enucleation in multivariate analysis, but rather the type of open-globe injury was predictive. Perforating (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.43-1.72) and globe rupture injuries (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.33-1.66) were more likely to undergo enucleation.
CONCLUSIONS: Open-globe injuries occur frequently in combat ocular trauma. Poor final VA was noted most with corneo-scleral wounds with approximately 50% of patients having a final VA less than 20/200.