Military-reconstructive limb surgery. Why did this concept appear and what lies behind it?

The employment of a large number of explosive munitions in combat has led to changes in the structure of temporary casualties and an increase in the severity of injuries to organs and tissues. The improvement of the medical evacuation system has contributed to the formation of a specific group of wounded, whose main distinguishing feature is the presence of extensive associated post-gunshot limb defects. This has necessitated the refinement of the medical care concept for the wounded and the establishment of a new multidisciplinary approach. Based on an analysis of literature on the treatment of combat surgical trauma (CST) and our own experience, we identified discrepancies between military medical doctrine and modern requirements for specialized surgical care (SSC). This work proposed a new treatment concept and the term “military reconstructive surgery of the extremities”. We have proposed a new treatment concept and the term “military-reconstructive limb surgery” (MRLS). The concept of military-reconstructive limb surgery is a system of interconnected principles and methods for diagnosing and treating patients with combat limb trauma. MRLS, as a term, implies a complex of interrelated and interdependent actions aimed at providing specialized medical care to wounded with combat limb injuries to achieve maximum possible restoration of anatomy and function of damaged limbs. MRLS constitutes an integral part of specialized surgical care (SSC), requiring a multidisciplinary approach and a range of special diagnostic and treatment equipment and hospital equipment. MRLS is a logical continuation of military field surgery.