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assistant on the operation table “without downgrading We can say that battlefield medicine is primarily the “medics
the team in medical knowledge” due to lack of personnel, arena.” NSOCMs are trained to save lives in the austere envi-
there are specific things that should be accomplished: ronment. The SOST concept saves lives around the world with
• The majority expert suggestion was the creation of a great success until the recent change of battlefield dynamics.
2-week SOST module for NSOCMs to cover the follow- SOF Truths for Special Operations Surgical Team states that
10
ing topics: one of the SOF truths is “Humans are more important”—the
o Surgical first assistant skills, instrument handling, right people, highly trained, and working as a team.
familiarization with trauma procedures, live tissue
training, nursing skills, and preoperative and post- Acknowledgments
operative requirements. Additionally, the SOCM Special thanks to Michael Hetzler, for his support and help
must cross train with the team in all the procedures in writing this article—without his valuable guidance this re-
and become familiarized with how the team surgeon search paper would not have been possible. Also, gratitude
works and how every member of the team works. to the following medical experts for their invaluable contri-
bution: Mr Andre Lieber, MD, surgeon; Ms Linda Benevides,
The goal of this research was to provide options for greater MD, surgeon; Mr Knut Isaken, MD, instructor at NSHQ
efficiency, economy, and synergy for challenges that exist. A SOST course; Mr Antti Lahdenranta, MD, surgeon; SMA
shortfall normally exists when a nation begins creating a SOST Nick Graham, US Air Force SOST, IDMT, SOCM; Mr Peer
or when a SOST evolves their PACE planning in all respects. Shultz, 18D/SOST team leader; CPT Tsouskas Ioannis, MD,
The level of success in an operation is strongly associated with surgeon; SGM Tony Stephens, US Ranger medic, SOCM; and
planning for the “worst case scenario.” Mr Nikola Ramundo, ITL physician assistant.

Disclosure
The author has nothing to disclose.

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