Military Trauma Surgeon Rates 10 Battle Wounds In Movies & TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

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A trauma surgeon, Peter Rhee, critiques the realism of battle-wound scenes in movies, highlighting inaccuracies such as torso injuries causing blood vomiting and the evolution of injuries in war movies. The importance of proper tourniquet application, the shift from morphine to ketamine in the military, and the challenges of junctional bleeds in trauma situations are discussed, along with the portrayal of medical procedures and the use of plasma as a resuscitative tool in military settings.

Insights

  • Tourniquets are crucial for preventing blood loss, but improper application can worsen bleeding, emphasizing the need for correct usage.
  • The use of plasma as a resuscitative tool is praised for its effectiveness compared to traditional IV fluids, with detailed explanations of its composition and benefits.

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Recent questions

  • What are the common inaccuracies in battle-wound scenes in movies?

    In battle-wound scenes, movies often inaccurately depict torso injuries causing blood vomiting, which is unrealistic according to trauma surgeon Peter Rhee.

  • Why are tourniquets crucial in trauma situations?

    Tourniquets are crucial for preventing blood loss in trauma situations, but improper application can worsen bleeding, highlighting the importance of correct usage to avoid complications.

  • What is the difference between medics and trauma surgeons in military settings?

    In military settings, medics are focused on getting patients to trauma surgeons for treatment, with each playing a distinct role in providing medical care to casualties.

  • Why is the use of IV bags discouraged in trauma situations?

    The use of IV bags in trauma situations is discouraged due to studies showing increased survival rates without them, prompting a shift in medical practices to improve patient outcomes.

  • How is triage conducted in the field during military operations?

    Triage in the field involves categorizing casualties based on urgency, with classifications such as dead, expectant, priority, and routine to prioritize medical care and resources effectively.

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Summary

00:00

"Trauma Surgeon Critiques Movie Battle Scenes"

  • Peter Rhee, a trauma surgeon with military experience, critiques battle-wound scenes in movies for realism.
  • He notes the inaccuracy of movies depicting torso injuries causing blood vomiting, emphasizing that it's unrealistic.
  • Rhee discusses the evolution of injuries in war movies, highlighting the shift from foot and ankle injuries to bilateral amputations above the knee due to buried bombs.
  • Tourniquets are crucial for preventing blood loss, but improper application can worsen bleeding, emphasizing the need for correct usage.
  • Morphine, once widely used, is now replaced by ketamine in the military due to its pain relief without affecting blood pressure.
  • The distinction between medics and trauma surgeons is clarified, with medics focused on getting patients to surgeons for treatment.
  • The use of IV bags in trauma situations is discouraged due to studies showing increased survival rates without them.
  • Junctional bleeds, where tourniquets can't be applied, pose challenges in stopping bleeding, prompting ongoing research for solutions.
  • Triage in the field involves categorizing casualties based on urgency, with dead, expectant, priority, and routine classifications.
  • Realism in movie depictions of medical procedures, like evisceration and spinal anesthesia, is critiqued for accuracy and practicality.

12:03

Military Outpost: Realistic Medical Care Success

  • The outpost setting resembles an Army Italian base station, lacking fortification with Hesco barriers, and depicts a scenario where fresh blood is crucial for survival due to delayed medevac.
  • The portrayal of a walking blood bank in a military unit, where soldiers donate blood for emergency use, is highlighted as a realistic aspect of the medical care depicted.
  • The use of plasma as a resuscitative tool is praised for its effectiveness compared to traditional IV fluids, with detailed explanations of its composition and benefits.
  • The medical care provided to a severely injured individual, including burn treatment and tourniquet application, is commended for its accuracy and believability.
  • Despite some inaccuracies in dialogue and actions, the overall medical care depicted in the scene is rated positively, with comparisons made to other more accurate portrayals in films like "Saving Private Ryan" and "Hacksaw Ridge."
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