Abstract text (incl. references and figure legends)
Background
When deployed in a "Role 2" treatment facility on mission, the military surgeon, as a generalist, must handle polytrauma patients on his own. Does the daily surgical routine in Germany sufficiently prepare for these situations? It is unclear who (among abdominal, vascular and orthopdedic surgeons) has the most experience performing life-saving surgical procedures in the trauma patient.
Methods
We retrospectively identified all patients admitted to the trauma unit who underwent immediate surgery with life-threating injuries. These injuries were assigned to a surgical specialty (abdominal, vascular, orthopedic). The frequency of involvement of different surgical specialties in such procedures was evaluated.
Results
A total of 474 patients requiring immediate life-saving surgery were identified from 2015 - 2022. Among these, life-threatening injuries were most commonly abdominal, followed by vascular and orthopedic trauma. Most of these procedures were performed by a specialist.
Conclusion
Abdominal surgeons have the most experience performing surgical procedures for life-threatening injuries. Orthopedic surgeons were least likely to perform such interventions. This must be taken into account when planning personnel for military deployments
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No