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, and September 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.