Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps最新文献

This is the first of two articles that considers the medical planning implications of large-scale defensive military operations. This paper considers the military context and planning factors that may require a medical plan that is different from that seen in recent counterinsurgency operations. The scale and complexity of the challenge is likely to require a greater level of decentralisation and a more sophisticated approach to medical planning at the strategic and operational levels.

We present the case of a 50-year-old, fit, asymptomatic gurkha officer. At a routine medical, an ECG showed T-wave inversion in the chest leads V3-6. Transthoracic echo showed left ventricular apical hypertrophy and cavity obliteration consistent with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed apical and inferior wall hypertrophy in the left ventricle with no aneurysm or scarring. A 24-hour monitor showed normal sinus rhythm with no evidence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Eighteen-panel genetic testing revealed no specific mutations. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing demonstrated a V̇O2 max, anaerobic threshold and peak V̇O2 consistent with above average cardiopulmonary capacity. There was no family history of either ApHCM or sudden cardiac death (SCD). Risk of SCD by the European Society of Cardiology's HCM calculator was low. This case generates discussion on the prognosis of ApHCM, factors that worsen prognosis, occupational limitation considerations and appropriate monitoring in this patient group.

Assessing for an adequate immunological response to a pre-exposure course of hepatitis B vaccine is not routinely recommended in all vaccinated individuals. Current UK guidelines advise checking hepatitis B surface antibody titres only in those considered at high occupational risk such as healthcare and laboratory workers. We present a case of an infantry soldier who developed acute hepatitis B despite having a complete course of hepatitis B vaccinations. This case emphasises that hepatitis B is still an important differential diagnosis for all returning military personnel who present with compatible symptoms despite being vaccinated.

This case report outlines the presentation and management of a young soldier who sustained a lower limb acacia thorn injury while on exercise in Kenya. The injury failed to heal with a subsequent ultrasound scan revealing a large retained thorn requiring surgical removal and wash out. From this case, lessons can be learnt regarding the management of thorn injuries, which are common in exercising troops in Kenya and indeed around the world. The key take-home messages are always consider a retained thorn if wounds fail to settle, use ultrasound as the imaging modality of choice, always remove identified retained thorns and if antibiotics are required use broad-spectrum antibiotics pending culture results.

The use of topical negative pressure dressings in temporary abdominal closure has been readily adopted worldwide; however, a method of continuous suction is typically required to provide a seal. We describe a method of temporary abdominal closure using readily available materials in the forward surgical environment which does not require continuous suction after application. This method of temporary abdominal closure provides the benefits of negative pressure temporary abdominal closure after damage control surgery without the need for continuous suction or specialised equipment. Its application in damage control surgery in austere or far-forward settings is suggested. The technique has potential applications for military surgeons as well as in humanitarian settings where the logistic supply chain may be fragile.

World War 1 ended 100 years ago. The aftermath included the consolidation of significant advances in medical care of casualties. Some of these advances were made in the care of chemical casualties, in particular the mechanisms of toxicity and treatment of phosgene exposure. Phosgene, or carbonyl chloride, is an extremely poisonous vapour that was used to devastating effect during World War 1. Observations made of acutely poisoned casualties formed the basis of much research in the early post-World War 1 era. Some extremely elegant experiments, some at the nascent Porton Down research facility, further evaluated the toxin and defences against it. Researchers drew on knowledge that was later forgotten and has since been relearnt later in the 20th century and made many correct assumptions. Their work is the bedrock of our understanding of phosgene toxicity that survives to this day. The horrors of chemical warfare prompted the Geneva Protocol of 1925, prohibiting the use of chemical agents in warfare, and chemical warfare on this scale has not been repeated. The ease with which phosgene can be synthesised requires healthcare providers to be familiar with its effects.