Dr. Caryn Stern and CDR Shane Jensen, MD- Improving Head and Neck Trauma Management on the Battlefield

<p style="font-weight:400;">Military Medicine & WarDocs present: "A Ready Medical Force Special Collection"</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">MILMED-D-22-00478R1: “An Analysis of Head and Neck Surgical Workload During Recent Combat Operations from 2002-2016”</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">EPISODE SUMMARY</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">Discover the critical insights from Dr. Caryn Stern and CDR Shane Jensen, MD on the prevalence of head and neck trauma cases managed by deployed surgeons during recent conflicts. This episode dives into their Military Medicine paper, which analyzes head and neck surgical workload at forward MTF’s spanning 2 decades, and the importance of their findings for our military healthcare teams. Learn how this valuable information can be used to improve training and skill sustainment initiatives for future operations.</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">We discuss the essential knowledge and skills that general surgeons need to have when deploying, such as those identified in the Individual Critical Task List (ICTL) and the Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSA) project. We stress the importance of having an airway plan for facial fractures, securing an airway for mid-phase instability, and using external fixation for most fractures. We also explore what medics can be trained to do in head and neck injuries requiring a tracheostomy or lateral canthotomy, and the goal of getting life-saving treatment within an hour.</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">Lastly, we examine the need for specialized teams of head and neck surgeons and the equipment they require to provide comprehensive support to Role 3 Military Treatment Facilities. We discuss the challenges of providing this specialized care, including the need for rapid telehealth support and feedback to those at Roles 1 and 2 MTFs. Don't miss this fascinating episode as we analyze the next steps needed to improve the training and equipping of units for managing head and neck trauma, and the importance of data collection and documentation in making infor