The United States Marine Corps Shock Trauma Platoon: The Modern Battlefield's Emergency Room

Abstract

Objective. The Shock Trauma Platoon (STP) is a small, mobile medical unit designed to support United States Marine Corps combat operations. The experience of one STP deployed to Iraq is reviewed to evaluate its designated mission. Method. Between February17, 2004, andSeptember 21, 2004, STP 2 was the only STP to remain mobile during its deployment to Iraq. Data concerning patient care were maintained prospectively. Results. During the 7 months reviewed, 180 casualties were admitted to the STP. Excluding noncombat related injuries, 141 patients were seen for combat-related injuries with 138 (97.9%) patients surviving to the next level of medical care. In this group of patients, 114 (80.9%) were injured by fragmentation devices with 67 (47.5%) suffering injury to more than one organ system. Conclusion. Small specialized medical units are capable of providing effective emergency lifesaving medical care in the austere prehospital environment of the battlefield.

Key words:

• casualties
• emergency medicine
• Iraq
• shock trauma platoon
• trauma