Page 94 - JSOM Summer 2025

Session: The Future of SOF Medicine Paris SOF CMC-Conference is scheduled for October 2026,
while the CMC-Conference in Ulm, Germany, will take place
The conference emphasized cutting-edge developments shap- in July 2025. 30
ing the future of SOF medicine. 25–28 Topics such as “Stop the
Bleeding – Blood-Time” underscored the urgency of rapid hem-
orrhage control and transfusion in life-threatening scenarios. Tips & Tricks with the Experts:
Discussions on artificial blood research and the integration of How Do I Manage a Major Burn?
drones for medical evacuation and supply delivery showcased Dr. Nicolas Donat and Dr. Winston de Mello
innovative approaches to addressing challenges in austere and
extreme conditions. Additionally, the prevention and manage- Objectives and Scope
The presentation provides practical insights into treating se-
ment of infections, early detection of mental health disorders, vere burns in SOF settings. It covers critical points such as burn
and the debated concept of the golden day—extending the tra- classification, tactical considerations, physiological impacts,
ditional golden hour of trauma care—were prominent themes.
and treatment priorities. Combat-related burns can result from
explosions, fire, and other wartime hazards, affecting 5%–20%
The closing session looked ahead to the future of SOF med- of wounded soldiers and often accompanied by trauma, com-
icine since it’s no longer just a question of “thinking outside plicating treatment. Burns have local and systemic effects:
the box but thinking even without the box.” Dr. Mathieu Da-
vid (SOFCOM/France) provided a French perspective on the 1. Local effects: These include skin destruction, inflammation,
evolving landscape, while COL Benjamin Ingram ( SOFCOM/ ischemia, and necrosis, with impaired skin functioning as a
USA) shared insights from SOFCOM’s point of view. Dr. An- barrier against infections and other complications.
dre Cap (USA) discussed research initiatives shaping the field, 2. Systemic effects: Burns covering more than 20% of total
and Dr. Camille Brenet (France) highlighted the transformative body surface area (TBSA) challenge the body’s adaptive
medical role of drones in special operations. These sessions response, leading to capillary leakage, hypovolemic shock,
reinforced the importance of international collaboration and and potentially multiorgan failure.
innovative thinking to meet the challenges of modern combat
medical care.
Treatment Plan
The recommended 7-point treatment plan progresses from initial
Major Lectures assessment to preparing for prolonged field care. This involves:

Dr. Yann Le Vaillant (France) explored the strategic role of 1. Care under fire: In active combat zones, the first priority
medical influence in SOF missions, emphasizing its opera- is safely evacuating the casualty, stopping the burning pro-
tional significance (Figure 5). 2,29
cess, and maintaining airway and breathing.
FIGURE 5 Major lecture. 2. Primary medical response (C-ABCDE): Address catastrophic
bleeding first, then airway, breathing, circulation, disability,
and exposure. Hypovolemia is managed cautiously to avoid
worsening fluid imbalance or inducing “fluid creep” by
overcompensation.
3. Initial assessment: Evaluate burn severity, depth, and area,
paying particular attention to associated injuries.
4. Fluid resuscitation: Given TBSA guidelines, fluid require-
ments are met gradually to prevent hypovolemic shock
without risking excessive fluid administration, which can
exacerbate injuries.
5. Preparation for evacuation: Before MEDEVAC, clinicians
ensure the airway is secure, temperature is controlled to pre-
vent hypothermia, and wounds are appropriately dressed.
6. Prolonged field care: In cases where MEDEVAC is delayed,
regular fluid adjustment, infection monitoring, and pain
management (such as topical morphine) are necessary.
7. Triage: Using burn severity, TBSA, and associated injuries,
triage determines priority care, often focusing on immedi-
Finally, two chairmen, Prof. Pierre Pasquier (France) and LTC ate life-threatening issues before burn-specific treatment.
Dr. Florent Josse (Germany), concluded the conference by de-
bating, summarizing, and discussing research priorities with Special Cases and Prolonged Field Care
experts. For white phosphorus burns, specific protocols such as im-
mersion and UV light identification are essential due to white
phosphorus’s unique characteristics and toxicity. In prolonged
Conclusion
field care scenarios, providers are advised to continuously
The 2024 Paris SOF-CMC Conference was an invaluable plat- reassess burns, manage fluids carefully, and document thor-
form for sharing expertise, fostering collaboration, and ad- oughly for subsequent surgical intervention.
vancing SOF medicine. From pioneering surgical techniques
to addressing the psychological well-being of SOF operators, Conclusion
the event provided a comprehensive overview of the current The presentation concludes with three primary lessons for
state and future direction of combat medical care. The next SOF burn care:

92 | JSOM Volume 25, Edition 2 / Summer 2025