Torso trauma on the modern battlefield

In the modern era, combat trauma care frequently involves the management of major torso injuries that would have been rapidly fatal in previous conflicts. In addition to the severe wounds and altered physiology, surgical teams are increasingly required to resuscitate patients and operate in a variety of austere forward settings with significant limitations in personnel and equipment, particularly in the early or “immature” phases of any combat action. A more detailed overview of the current military medical system in the forward deployed setting is provided elsewhere (Field Triage in the Military Arena). The purpose of this chapter is to focus on the unique issues and management strategies for patients with major torso trauma (chest, abdomen, or combined thoracoabdominal) in a combat environment.