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Danford JR, Reyes F, Gurney JM, Smith JP, Stinner DJ. Optimizing Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) to Maximize Readiness. Mil Med 2024:usae073. [PMID: 38801707 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Army utilizes Individual Critical Task Lists (ICTLs) to track and ensure competency and deployment readiness of its medical service members. ICTLs are the various skills and procedures that the Army has deemed foundational for each area of concentration (AOC)/military occupational specialty (MOS). While many ICTLs involve the patient care that military medical providers regularly provide, some procedures are not as commonly performed. This, when coupled with lower patient volume at military treatment facilities (MTF), poses a challenge for maintaining skill competency and deployment readiness. Fort Campbell's Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) has created a holistic and unique solution to meet many of these standardized requirements and support a ready medical force. By optimizing the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) course curriculum to facilitate ICTL completion, BACH has increased its ICTL completion rates, ATLS® course exposure, and streamlined training requirements. The purpose of this article is to describe this best practice and suggest its applicability to other MTFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS By cross-referencing the ATLS® course curriculum and appendices with ICTLs, BACH has augmented ATLS® course certification with the additional completion of 12 ICTLs. This new approach not only increases ICTL completion, but also increases ATLS® curriculum exposure to medical providers, such as Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners, who would not typically take ATLS®. RESULTS Since starting this new approach in April 2021, 73 military medical personnel have completed the ATLS® course at BACH, with 24 different medical specialties represented. A total of 361 ICTLs have been completed with specific ICTL completion counts ranging from 13 to 48. Each ICTL tested was completed 100% of its annual requirement. CONCLUSION ATLS® is a mandatory joint interoperability standard for military physicians and it is also an Army ICTL for many AOCs/MOSs. Only counting completion of this course as one ICTL is a missed opportunity for the time spent by Army medical providers and limits the exposure of ATLS® to select AOCs/MOSs. This optimized and novel approach has been successful at BACH, suggesting its applicability at other MTFs that serve as ATLS® testing sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Danford
- School of Medicine, Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Florencio Reyes
- Department of Surgery, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, TN 42223, USA
| | - Jennifer M Gurney
- Joint Trauma System, Healthcare Operations, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA 22042, USA
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
| | - Joshua P Smith
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Daniel J Stinner
- Department of Surgery, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, TN 42223, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Haverkamp FJC, Van Dongen TTCF, Edwards MJR, Boel T, Pöyhönen A, Tan ECTH, Hoencamp R. European military surgical teams in combat theater: A survey study on deployment preparation and experience. Injury 2024; 55:111320. [PMID: 38238119 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adequate (predeployment) training of the nowadays highly specialized Western military surgical teams is vital to ensure a broad range of surgical skills to treat combat casualties. This survey study aimed to assess the self-perceived preparedness, training needs, deployment experience, and post-deployment impact of surgical teams deployed with the Danish, Dutch, or Finnish Armed Forces. Study findings may facilitate a customized predeployment training. METHODS A questionnaire was distributed among Danish, Dutch, and Finnish military surgical teams deployed between January 2013 and December 2020 (N = 142). The primary endpoint of self-perceived preparedness ratings, and data on the training needs, deployment experiences, and post-deployment impacts were compared between professions and nations. RESULTS The respondents comprised 35 surgeons, 25 anesthesiologists, and 39 supporting staff members, with a response rate of 69.7 % (99/142). Self-perceived deployment preparedness was rated with a median of 4.0 (IQR 4.0-4.0; scale: 1 [very unprepared]-5 [more than sufficient]). No differences were found among professions and nations. Skills that surgeons rated below average (median <6.0; scale: 1 [low]-10 [high]) included tropical disease management and maxillofacial, neurological, gynecological, ophthalmic, and nerve repair surgery. The deployment caseload was most often reported as <1 case per week (41/99, 41.4 %). The need for professional psychological help was rated at a median of 1.0 (IQR 1.0-1.0; scale: 1 [not at all]-5 [very much]). CONCLUSIONS Military surgical teams report overall adequate preparedness for deployment. Challenges remain for establishing broadly skilled teams because of a low deployment caseload and ongoing primary specializations. Additional training and exposure were indicated for several specialism-specific skill areas. The need for specific training should be addressed through customized predeployment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Thomas Boel
- Danish Armed Forces, Medical Command, DK-8220 Brabrand, Denmark
| | - Antti Pöyhönen
- Finnish Defence Forces Health Services, Centre For Military Medicine, FI-11311 Riihimäki, Finland
| | - Edward C T H Tan
- Department of Surgery, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands; Defence Healthcare Organization, Ministry of Defence, 3584 AB Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Rigo Hoencamp
- Defence Healthcare Organization, Ministry of Defence, 3584 AB Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Alrijne Hospital, 2353 GA Leiderdorp, Netherlands; Division of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Liang JN, Anklowitz AJ, Livezey JB, O'Hara TA, Aranda MC, Bandera B. Practice Patterns of Pancreatic Surgery Within the Military. Am Surg 2024:31348241241746. [PMID: 38513255 DOI: 10.1177/00031348241241746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic surgery is technically challenging, with mortality rates at high-volume centers ranging from 0% to 5%. An inverse relationship between surgeon volume and perioperative mortality has been reported suggesting that patients benefit from experienced surgeons at high-volume centers. There is little published on the volume of pancreatic surgeries performed in military treatment facilities (MTF) and there is no centralization policy regarding pancreatic surgery. This study evaluates pancreatic procedures at MTFs. We hypothesize that a small group of MTFs perform most pancreatic procedures, including more complex pancreatic surgeries. METHODS This is a retrospective review of de-identified data from MHS Mart (M2) from 2014 to 2020. The database contains patient data from all Defense Health Agency treatment facilities. Variables collected include number and types of pancreatic procedures performed and patient demographics. The primary endpoint was the number and type of surgery for each MTF. RESULTS Twenty-six MTFs performed pancreatic surgeries from 2014 to 2020. There was a significant decrease in the number of cases from 2014 to 2020. Nine hospitals performed one surgery over eight years. The most common surgery was a distal pancreatectomy, followed by a pancreaticoduodenectomy. There was a decrease in the number of pancreaticoduodenectomies and distal pancreatectomies performed over this period. CONCLUSIONS Pancreatic surgery is being performed at few MTFs with a downward trajectory over time. Further studies would be needed to assess the impact on patient care regarding postoperative complications, barriers to timely patient care, and impact on readiness of military surgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy N Liang
- General Surgery Residency Program, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower, GA, USA
| | - Andrew J Anklowitz
- General Surgery Residency Program, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower, GA, USA
| | - Jonathan B Livezey
- General Surgery Residency Program, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower, GA, USA
| | - Thomas A O'Hara
- General Surgery Residency Program, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower, GA, USA
| | - Marcos C Aranda
- General Surgery Residency Program, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower, GA, USA
| | - Bradley Bandera
- Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
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Cant MR, Naumann DN, Swain C, Mountain AJ, Baden J, Bowley DM. Acquisition and retention of military surgical competencies: a survey of surgeons' experiences in the UK Defence Medical Services. BMJ Mil Health 2024; 170:117-122. [PMID: 35649691 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2022-002112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The acquisition and retention of militarily relevant surgical knowledge and skills are vital to enable expert management of combat casualties on operations. Opportunities for skill sustainment have reduced due to the cessation of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and lack of military-relevant trauma in UK civilian practice. METHODS A voluntary, anonymous online survey study was sent to all UK Defence Medical Services (DMS) surgical consultants and higher surgical trainees in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Plastic and Reconstructive, and General and Vascular surgical specialties (three largest surgical specialties in the DMS in terms of numbers). The online questionnaire tool included 20 questions using multiple choice and free text to assess respondents' subjective feelings of preparedness for deployment as surgeons for trauma patients. RESULTS There were 71 of 108 (66%) responses. Sixty-four (90%) respondents were regular armed forces, and 46 (65%) worked in a Major Trauma Centre (MTC). Thirty-three (47%) had never deployed on operations in a surgical role. Nineteen (27%) felt they had sufficient exposure to penetrating trauma. When asked 'How well do you feel your training and clinical practice prepares you for a surgical deployment?' on a scale of 1-10, trainees scored significantly lower than consultants (6 (IQR 4-7) vs 8 (IQR 7-9), respectively; p<0.001). There was no significant difference in scores between regular and reservists, or between those working at an MTC versus non-MTC. Respondents suggested high-volume trauma training and overseas trauma centre fellowships, simulation, cadaveric and live-tissue training would help their preparedness. CONCLUSIONS There was a feeling among a sample of UK DMS consultants and trainees that better preparedness is required for them to deploy confidently as a surgeon for combat casualties. The responses suggest that UK DMS surgical training requires urgent attention if current surgeons are to be ready for their role on deployed operations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D N Naumann
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - C Swain
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - A J Mountain
- Department of Military Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - J Baden
- Department of Military Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - D M Bowley
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
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Lee J, Roberson L, Garner R, Kim E, Glaser J, Choi P, Vicente D. Trauma and Critical Care Military-Civilian Publications Increased After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review. J Surg Res 2023; 292:97-104. [PMID: 37603939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There continues to be a growing demand for military-civilian partnerships (MCPs) in research collaborations developing medical trauma care in domestic and international affairs. The objective of this comprehensive review is to investigate the difference in the quantity of MCP trauma and critical care publications before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed for the calendar years 2018 and 2021 utilizing MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we performed a three-tiered review of 603 English language articles to identify trauma-related military and/or civilian partners and describe the changes in geographical relationships. RESULTS A total of 96 (2018) and 119 (2021) articles met screening criteria for trauma and critical care studies and were used for final data extraction. Ultimately, 59 (2018) and 71 (2021) papers met the inclusion criteria of identifying trauma/critical care MCPs and identified both military and civilian partners. There was also an increase from 10 (2018) to 17 (2021) publications that mentioned advocacy for MCP. Using the author affiliations, four regional MCP types were recorded: of 2018 articles, locoregional (3.4%), US-national (47.5%), single international country (42.4%), and between multiple countries (6.8%); of 2021 articles, locoregional (15.5%), US-national (38%), single international country (29.6%), and between multiple countries (16.9%). There has been an increase in the number of locoregional and multinational MCPs and an overall increase in the number of collaborative trauma publications and MCP advocacy papers. A national geographical heat map was developed to illustrate the changes from 2018 to 2021. CONCLUSIONS There has been an increase in the number of recorded trauma and critical care MCP publications post-pandemic. The growth in the number of manuscripts in more regions post-pandemic suggests an increase in the recognition of collaborations that contribute not only to conflict readiness but also advancements in trauma and surgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lee
- Department of Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Laura Roberson
- Department of Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Reid Garner
- Surgery, Uniformed Services University of The Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Eungjae Kim
- Surgery, Uniformed Services University of The Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jacob Glaser
- Surgery, Uniformed Services University of The Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Surgery, Providence Regional Medical Center, Everett, Washington
| | - Pamela Choi
- Department of Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California; Surgery, Uniformed Services University of The Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Diego Vicente
- Department of Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California; Surgery, Uniformed Services University of The Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Suresh MR, Staudt AM, Trevino JD, Papalski WN, Greydanus DJ, Valdez-Delgado KK, Mann-Salinas EA, VanFosson CA. A Deeper Dive Into Combat Medic Training. Mil Med 2023; 188:187-189. [PMID: 36848148 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent article by Knisely et al. provides a comprehensive review and summary of recent literature describing simulation techniques, training strategies, and technologies to teach medics combat casualty care skills. Some of the results reported by Knisely et al. align with the findings of our team's work, and these findings may be helpful to military leadership with their ongoing efforts to maintain medical readiness. Accordingly, we provide some additional contextual understanding to the results of Knisely et al. in this commentary. Our team recently published two papers describing the results of a large survey that examined Army medic pre-deployment training. Combining the findings of Knisely et al. along with some of the contextual information from our work, we provide some recommendations for improving and optimizing the pre-deployment training paradigm for medics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mithun R Suresh
- Department of Medicine, St. Cloud Hospital, St Cloud, MN 56303, USA
| | - Amanda M Staudt
- Department of Medicine, The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA
| | | | - Wayne N Papalski
- Naval Special Warfare Group Two, Navy Liaison Officer to the Joint Trauma System, Virginia Beach, VA 23459, USA
| | | | - Krystal K Valdez-Delgado
- En Route Care Research Center, 59MDW/Science and Technology, Defense Health Center, JBSA Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
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Hodgetts TJ, Naumann DN, Bowley DM. Transferable military medical lessons from the Russo-Ukraine war. BMJ Mil Health 2023:e002435. [PMID: 37402486 DOI: 10.1136/military-2023-002435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - D N Naumann
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - D M Bowley
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
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Osborn PM. Letter to the Editor Regarding "The Relation of Surgical Volume to Competence: When Is Enough, Enough?". Mil Med 2023; 188:85-87. [PMID: 36369965 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usac336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Osborn
- Northeast Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, San Antonio, TX 78217, USA
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Fox JP, Markov NP, Latham KP. Combating the "Peacetime Effect" in Military Plastic Surgery: Implications for Mission Readiness. Mil Med 2021; 186:183-186. [PMID: 33914895 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Military treatment facility-assigned surgeons face numerous challenges in maintaining critical wartime skills, including the "peacetime effect" and the "dual mission." Using the field of plastic surgery to illustrate these issues, we contrast plastic surgeons' contributions to combat casualty care with primary data describing plastic surgeons' clinical practice in many military hospitals. Then, we outline the current administrative mechanisms being promoted at the enterprise-level for surgeons to gain a more mission-focused, clinical practice, while also examining significant shortcomings in these policies. Finally, we conclude with a call to action for the military surgical community to accelerate change in the development of more robust clinical practices for our surgeons, or potentially lose our ability to field a ready surgical force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Fox
- 88th Surgical Operations Squadron, Wright Patterson Medical Center, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Nickolay P Markov
- 88th Surgical Operations Squadron, Wright Patterson Medical Center, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Kerry P Latham
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- 316th Surgical Operations Squadron, Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center, Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762, USA
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Cant MR, Naumann DN, König TC, Bowley DM. How do deployed general surgeons acquire relevant skill sets and competencies and mitigate skill fade? BMJ Mil Health 2020; 167:209-213. [PMID: 33328277 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
There are recognised difficulties internationally with acquisition and retention of skills among deployed military general surgeons. These are compounded by reduced trauma workload in non-deployed roles or during low tempo or limited activity deployments, and the winding-down of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. We summarise the relevant military-run courses, military-civilian collaborations and potential future strategies that have been used to address skill sets and competencies of deployed surgeons. We use examples from the American, British, Danish, French, German and Swedish Armed Forces. There is variation between nations in training, with a combination of didactic lectures, simulation training and trauma placements in civilian settings at home and overseas. Data regarding effectiveness of these techniques are sparse. It is likely that combat surgical skill-set acquisition and maintenance requires a combination of employment at a high-volume trauma centre during a surgeon's non-deployed role, together with military-specific courses and high-fidelity simulation to fill skill gaps. There are multiple newer modalities of training that require further evaluation if they are to prove effective in the future. We aimed to summarise the current methods used internationally to ensure acquisition and retention of vital skill sets for these surgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D N Naumann
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Birmingham, UK
| | - T C König
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.,16 Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps, Merville Barracks, Colchester, Essex, UK
| | - D M Bowley
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
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