New greatest generation: Humanitarian surgery in a combat zone

Am J Surg. 2014 May;207(5):766-72; discussion 772. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2013.12.027. Epub 2014 Mar 12.

The hidden war: humanitarian surgery in a combat zone.

Porta CR1, Robins R2, Eastridge B2, Holcomb J2, Schreiber M2, Martin M2.

Author information

• 1Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA. Electronic address: reesporta@yahoo.com.
• 2Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Fitzsimmons Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Humanitarian surgical care (HSC) provided during wartime plays a substantial role in military operations, but has not been described or quantified beyond individual experiences.

METHODS:

Prospective survey was conducted of all military members deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan between 2002 and 2011.

RESULTS:

There were 266 responses. On average, surgeons had been in practice for 3 years at their 1st deployment and the majority were not fellowship trained. HSC was performed on all body systems and patient populations, including surgery for malignancy. Although 30% of responders performed surgeries they had never done before as a staff surgeon, 84% felt well prepared by their residency. The majority felt that performing HSC improved unit readiness (60%), benefited local population (64%), and contributed to counterinsurgency operations (54%).

CONCLUSION:

Over our 10-year period, hundreds of military surgeons performed countless HSC cases in Iraq and Afghanistan and the majority felt that HSC had numerous benefits.