Between the years 1964 and 1973, there were 58, 220 casualties in the Vietnam War, 18,518 of which were a result of guns and small arms, while multiple fragmentary wounds accounted for 8,456 of these casualties (1). Of these 26,792 casualties, 39% were caused by bullets, 13% mortar, 13% artillery, and 25% grenade (2). With over 46% of the total American casualties during the Vietnam War classified as 'soft tissue' injuries, it was imperative that medical divisions create more effective ways of treating these types of patients.
The three most significant advancements created to cope with the massive amount of 'soft tissue' injuries during the Vietnam war, were the new method of blood transfusions, the invention of topical antiseptics and surgical research on various synthetic blood vessels.
Although the US Military first saw an increase in the morality rate as a result of blood transfusions during World War II, the doctors that served in the Vietnam War were the first to experiment with 'whole blood'. 'Whole blood' is a term that was coined to refer to unprocessed blood that was donated to the military. Throughout the war, this blood was primarily transported from the 406th Medical Laboratory in Japan to the 9th Medical Laboratory in Saigon, South Vietnam gathered and donated by PACOM, the United States Pacific Command. It was extremely important that the blood was stored in a refrigerator or even frozen to keep the red blood cells from dying before it was needed. Without it being kept in such an enviroment, chemicals and additives would be mixed with the blood to keep it alive. Not only was this the key mistake in blood transfusions during Word War II, but would often result in complications during surgery as many patient's bodies would reject it. ( ) Therefore, the first walk in refrigerator was constructed in the 6th Convalescent Center in 1968. This 1800 square foot building was later named the Military Blood Program Agency headquarters during the war. The use of 'whole blood' was crucial to the daily routine of a front line hospital in Vietnam, as it was essential to keeping patients alive and having successful surgeries. As a testament to its necessity and effectiveness, the amount of blood donated by PACOM rose from 201 pints of blood in January of 1966 to over 12,984 by June of the same year.
The three most significant advancements created to cope with the massive amount of 'soft tissue' injuries during the Vietnam war, were the new method of blood transfusions, the invention of topical antiseptics and surgical research on various synthetic blood vessels.
Although the US Military first saw an increase in the morality rate as a result of blood transfusions during World War II, the doctors that served in the Vietnam War were the first to experiment with 'whole blood'. 'Whole blood' is a term that was coined to refer to unprocessed blood that was donated to the military. Throughout the war, this blood was primarily transported from the 406th Medical Laboratory in Japan to the 9th Medical Laboratory in Saigon, South Vietnam gathered and donated by PACOM, the United States Pacific Command. It was extremely important that the blood was stored in a refrigerator or even frozen to keep the red blood cells from dying before it was needed. Without it being kept in such an enviroment, chemicals and additives would be mixed with the blood to keep it alive. Not only was this the key mistake in blood transfusions during Word War II, but would often result in complications during surgery as many patient's bodies would reject it. ( ) Therefore, the first walk in refrigerator was constructed in the 6th Convalescent Center in 1968. This 1800 square foot building was later named the Military Blood Program Agency headquarters during the war. The use of 'whole blood' was crucial to the daily routine of a front line hospital in Vietnam, as it was essential to keeping patients alive and having successful surgeries. As a testament to its necessity and effectiveness, the amount of blood donated by PACOM rose from 201 pints of blood in January of 1966 to over 12,984 by June of the same year.
The FEST (Field Epidentiologic Survey Team) was created by Lieutenant Colonel Llewellyn J. Legters, MC, preventive medicine officer of the USA John F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare at Fort Bragg, N.C in May 1966, in order to research and gather information on the front line of Vietnam (3). Arguably the most influential product of this research was the development of polyHeme, a first generation hemoglobin based oxygen solution (4). Based in the 9th Medical Laboratory, the group's research found that by polymerizing hemoglobin at a certain temperature, they were able to purify it. Furthermore, they found that when administered directly to the injured area of a patient, the solution would help to stem bleeding. This was especially useful when medics had to quickly deal with patients who recently suffered from gunshot and shrapnel injuries. PolyHeme would help to stop fatal bleeding in the meantime before they received further treatment. It proved so effective that a variation of PolyHeme is still used today.
Finally, surgical research on synthetic blood vessels also helped to improve soft tissue injuries during the war. Primary conducted by an offshoot of the FEST team, this group conducted its research at the 93rd Evacuation Hospital which served as the center for severe gunshot and shrapnel wounds. They focused on furthering the use of plastic polymers or small tubes to help repair muscle damage and vital organs that may have been afflicted. This ultimately led to the development of artificial blood vessels, made of the same material, that would replace damaged areas while maintaining blood flow. However, patients that only suffered soft tissue wounds considered themselves lucky as they would often look over in their hospital beds to see their fellow comrades missing arms and legs.
Finally, surgical research on synthetic blood vessels also helped to improve soft tissue injuries during the war. Primary conducted by an offshoot of the FEST team, this group conducted its research at the 93rd Evacuation Hospital which served as the center for severe gunshot and shrapnel wounds. They focused on furthering the use of plastic polymers or small tubes to help repair muscle damage and vital organs that may have been afflicted. This ultimately led to the development of artificial blood vessels, made of the same material, that would replace damaged areas while maintaining blood flow. However, patients that only suffered soft tissue wounds considered themselves lucky as they would often look over in their hospital beds to see their fellow comrades missing arms and legs.