Multiple organ failure following severe battle injuries during recent conflicts: a French retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Improvements in combat casualty care have increased survival rates, but these patients are at particular risk of developing multiple organ failure (MOF). We investigated the incidence and severity of MOF in a cohort of severe combat casualties.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included all on-duty French land army war casualties with a severe combat injury requiring intensive care unit admission during 2009-2023. Demographic data, advanced life support interventions, and outcomes were collected. Each organ failure was then analyzed during a 7-day trauma course according to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.

Results: Of the 100 patients who met the inclusion criteria, those with persistent MOF at day 4 (MOF group) represented 22% of the total population (median SOFA score 6.0 [5.3-8.0]). Compared to those without persistent MOF, these patients were more severely injured (median Military Injury Severity Score 38.0 [interquartile range 33.0-56.8] vs 26.5 [20.0-34.0], p < 0.001) by an explosive mechanism (68.2%) and sustained more traumatic brain injury (TBI; 40.9% vs 14.1%, p = 0.013). The MOF group also received significantly more blood units (median 14.0 [8.3-24.8] vs 6.0 [0.0-12.0], p < 0.001) and massive transfusions (68.2% vs 32.1%, p = 0.002). Pulmonary and cardiovascular dysfunction were the most frequently observed trauma outcomes. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that MOF persistence at day 4 was significantly associated (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]) with severe injuries (1.5 [1-2.3], p = 0.042).

Conclusion: A high number of severe lesions significantly and independently increased risk of MOF persistence at day 4 after combat-related trauma. These findings are particularly relevant to current and anticipated large-scale combat operations that will challenge battlefield casualty care and evacuation.