Lessons Learned in Combat Burn Care

Abstract

Burn injury comprises 5–20 % of injuries on the battlefield depending on operational tempo. The management of these injuries can pose significant challenges to the medical provider and care of these patients can be resource and labor intense. Coalition forces may present with poly-traumatic injuries in addition to burn and this will further complicate the care of these patients. Medical facilities supporting these mission must also be prepared to care for thermally injured host nationals as local medical resources will not likely be able to render appropriate level of care acutely. Unlike coalition casualties who are usually evacuated expeditiously, local nationals with burn injury will require prolonged care at field medical hospitals. Expectant care of host nationals with severe burn injury (>40–50 % total body surface area) should be considered since mortality is extremely high in this patient population.