Management of combat-related
trauma is derived from skills and data collected in past conflicts and civilian
trauma, and from information and experience obtained during ongoing conflicts. The best methods to prevent
infections associated with
injuries observed in military combat are not fully established. Current methods to prevent
infections in these types of
injuries are derived primarily from controlled trials of elective surgery and civilian
trauma as well as retrospective studies of civilian and military
trauma interventions. The following guidelines integrate available evidence and expert opinion, from within and outside of the US military medical community, to provide guidance to US military health care providers (deployed and in permanent medical treatment facilities) in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of
infections in those individuals wounded in combat. These guidelines may be applicable to noncombat traumatic
injuries under certain circumstances. Early
wound cleansing and surgical
debridement,
antibiotics, bony stabilization, and maintenance of infection control measures are the essential components to diminish or prevent these
infections. Future research should be directed at ideal treatment strategies for prevention of combat-related injury
infections, including investigation of unique infection control techniques, more rapid diagnostic strategies for
infection, and better defining the role of
antimicrobial agents, including the appropriate spectrum of activity and duration.