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External Fixation in the War Zone

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External Fixation in Orthopedic Traumatology

Abstract

The major form of initial long bone fracture stabilization to care for US or allied soldiers in battlefield hospitals is presently external fixation [1]. The use of external fixation by the military is similar to current usage in civilian trauma centers as a means to temporarily stabilize a limb [2–4]. What is different is the fact that the wounded soldier is transported to a site of definitive care after initial stabilization at a battlefield hospital. Once in a stable environment, the receiving surgeon can continue with external fixation or change to another treatment method [1, 5–7].

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Dougherty, P.J., Kesling, K.M. (2012). External Fixation in the War Zone. In: Seligson, D., Mauffrey, C., Roberts, C. (eds) External Fixation in Orthopedic Traumatology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2197-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2197-8_5

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