Ultra-forward surgical support for special operations forces. Conception, development and certification of the French Special Operations Surgical Team (SOST) airborne capability.
Injury · 2023-08-10 · Other / unclear
Abstract
When special operations forces (SOF) are in action, a surgical team (SOST) is usually ground deployed as close as possible to the combat area, to try and provide surgical support within the golden hour. The French SOST is composed of 6 people: 2 surgeons, 1 scrub nurse, 1 anaesthetist, 1 anesthetic nurse and 1 SOF paramedic. It can be deployed in 45 min under a tent or in a building. However, some tactical situations prevent the ground deployment. A solution is to deploy the SOST in a tactical unprepared aircraft hold, to make it possible to offer DCS, to treat non-compressible exsanguinating trauma, without any ground logistical footprint. This article describes the stages of the design, development and certification process of the airborne SOST capability. The authors report the modifications and adaptations of the equipment and the surgical paradigms which make it possible to solve the constraints linked to the aeronautical and combat environment. Study type/level of evidence Care management Level of Evidence IV.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Critical care & advanced paramedics · Helicopter & air ambulance · Military & tactical · Prehospital physicians
Related articles
- Measuring Intangibles: Defining Predictors of Non-Technical Skills in Critical Care Air Transport Team Trainees. (Mil Med, 2016)
- ACNPs in the U.S. Army-Medical Force Multipliers for Large-Scale Combat Operations. (Mil Med, 2024)
- Digital replantation in forward surgical units: a cases study. (SICOT J, 2018)
- En Route Resuscitation - Utilization of CCATT to Transport and Stabilize Critically Injured and Unstable Casualties. (Mil Med, 2019)
- Doctor on board? What is the optimal skill-mix in military pre-hospital care? (Emerg Med J, 2011)
- The introduction of new critical care equipment into the aeromedical evacuation service of the Royal Air Force. (Intensive Crit Care Nurs, 2003)