Obstetric Trauma and Surgical Emergencies in the Military Operational Environment

Abstract

Military medicine operates globally to deliver health service support to U.S. Servicemembers while also delivering healthcare to allies, enemy combatants, local civilians, and displaced persons. Military medical assets provide support during combat operations and in operations other than war. Obstetric trauma can and does occur in all of these populations and mission sets. This review focuses on obstetric trauma experience and perspectives in the context of military operational medicine. Comprehensive review and analysis of military operational medicine during the periods of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have informed general trauma management principles but have not contributed to significant evidence or management guidance pertinent to management of trauma in the obstetric population. Austere, foreign, focused, or low-resourced environments are challenging places to manage obstetric trauma. Fundamental trauma management principles still apply.