Ultrasound in Combat Trauma

Abstract

Ultrasound is an important part of the initial trauma workup, no matter the setting. Most surgeons will be practicing at a Combat Support Hospital (CSH) in theatre; however, as a part of a FST you might not have a CT scanner available. In austere scenarios, US can be invaluable in directing resuscitative and operative management, but US should also be a part of the CSH or trauma center evaluation. Admittedly, many civilian trauma centers have such quick access to CT scanning that US is largely bypassed with the advent of the “pan-scan.” With multiple patient and mass casualty scenarios quickly overwhelming CT capabilities; however, US can be crucial in getting the trauma team useful information quickly.

Deployment Experience:

Benjamin Harrison EMT Chief and Theater Consultant for Emergency Medicine, 28th Combat Support Hospital, Ibn Sina Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, 2006