Citation

Allison CE, Trunkey DD. Crit. Care Clin. 2009; 25(1): 31-45, vii.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. hinkc@ohsu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ccc.2008.10.001

PMID

19268793

Abstract

Over the course of history, while the underlying causes for wars have remained few, mechanisms of inflicting injury and our ability to treat the consequent wounds have dramatically changed. Success rates in treating war-related injuries have improved greatly, although the course of progress has not proceeded linearly. From Homer's Iliad to the Civil War to Vietnam, there have been significant improvements in mortality, despite a concurrent increase in the lethality of weapons. These improvements have occurred primarily as a result of progress in three key areas: management of wounds, treatment of shock, and systems of organization.

Language: en