Sixteen Ukrainian doctors who work near fighting went through three Western trauma programs in one week. American surgeons led drills
On the front line, drones and shrapnel often tear through several parts of a soldier’s body at once.
Ukraine has launched the inaugural international course in military surgery and resuscitation, with instructors from the American College of Surgeons and other Western trauma organizations. Dubbed "Tryzub," or Trident, the week-long drills brought together 16 doctors, a mix of surgeons and anesthesiologists, all working at stabilization points near the front lines.
The intensive program encompassed three standard Western trauma courses: Advanced Trauma Life Support, Definitive Surgical Trauma Care, and Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma. The course was executed in collaboration with the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care, the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance, a non-profit organization aiding Ukraine's healthcare reconstruction, and with support from Razom4Ukraine and Expertise France.
The evolving nature of battlefield injuries has prompted the course's creation, as modern combat trauma predominantly involves complex wounds from drones and shrapnel, often affecting multiple bodily areas simultaneously, with bleeding emerging as the primary cause of death on the battlefield. Ukrainian medical professionals assert that the narrow time frame to prevent fatal bleeding necessitates a well-prepared surgical team positioned close to the conflict zones.
Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara framed the course as a commitment to the troops on the frontlines, emphasizing that medics will go to any lengths to save lives. Khmara highlighted the importance of experience, emphasizing that trust among medical personnel is crucial in high-pressure situations. Ukrainian front-line medicine has garnered international attention, with an Azov brigade medic being named Europe's best military medic of the year and off-duty Ukrainian medics saving a man's life during a London accident.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
