Citation

Jeevaratnam JA, Pandya AN. J. R. Army Med. Corps 2014; 160(1): 22-26.

Affiliation

Mountbatten Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, MDHU Portsmouth, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, UK Royal Army Medical Corps)

DOI

10.1136/jramc-2013-000100

PMID

24109100

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Historically, burns have formed a significant proportion of the casualties of war. The management of burns in recent conflict has been found to be a resource-heavy undertaking, though its impact on both personnel and resources in current conflicts is unclear. A case analysis has been carried out in order to quantify the logistical impact of the management of burns on Role 3 Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) infrastructure and to examine if and how the cause and management of burns have evolved in early 21st century conflict.

METHODS: All casualties treated for burns at a Role 3 MTF over one calendar year were identified and scanned copies of their notes obtained from the UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry and retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS: 88 of the 1461 (6.0%) trauma patients presenting to the Role 3 MTF over the year were treated for burns of whom 52.3% were combat troops and 45.4% civilians. Half of the burns were caused by non-conflict related mechanisms; the two commonest mechanisms were flame burns in 38/88 mostly non-conflict related cases and blast in 30/88 cases most of which were conflict related.

CONCLUSIONS: The management of burns at war is a complex process. It is further confounded by the management of civilians with non-conflict related burns, which places a predictable strain on Role 3 MTF resources: theatre time, nursing time, dressing resources and bed space. This must be planned for in current and future deployed operations.

Language: en