Citation

van der Wal H, van Dongen TTCF, Vermeulen CFW, Bruce JL, Bekker W, Manchev V, Kong V, van Waes O, Clarke DL, Hoencamp R. Injury 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands; Division of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands; Trauma Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Defence Healthcare Organization, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2019.07.034

PMID

31400810

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent terrorist attacks and mass shooting incidents in major European and North American cities have shown the unexpected influx of large volumes of patients with complex multi-system injuries. The rise of subspecialisation and the low violence-related penetrating injuries among European cities, show the reality that most surgical programs are unable to provide sufficient exposure to penetrating and blast injuries. The aim of this study is to describe and create a collaborative program between a major South African trauma service and a NATO country military medical service, with synergistic effect on both partners. This program includes comprehensive cross-disciplinary training & teaching, and scientific research.

METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study. The Pietermaritzburg hospital and Netherlands military trauma register databases were used for analysing patient data: Pietermaritzburg between September 2015 and August 2016, Iraq between May and July 2018 and Afghanistan from 2006 to 2010. Interviews were held to analyse the mutual benefits of the program.

RESULTS: From the Pietermaritzburg study, mutual benefits focus on social responsibility, exchange of knowledge and experience and further mutual exploration. The comparison showed the numbers of surgical procedures over a one-month period performed in Iraq 12.7, in Afghanistan 68.8 and in Pietermaritzburg 152.

CONCLUSION: This study has shown a significant volume of penetrating trauma in South Africa, that can provide substantial exposure over a relatively short period. This help to prepare civilian and military surgeons and deployable military medical personnel for casualties with blast - and/or penetrating injuries. The aforementioned findings and the willingness to shape the mutual benefits, create a platform for trauma electives, research, education and training.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Collaboration; Military healthcare; Mutual benefit; Trauma surgery; Trauma training; Value-based health care