EXTREMITY INJURIES PREDOMINATE IN TEN YEARS OF ROYAL NAVY AND ROYAL MARINE CASUALTIES SUSTAINED IN COMBAT IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

The UK Military Trauma Registry was searched for all RN/RM personnel injured between March 2003 and April 2013. These records were then cross-referenced with the records of the Naval Service Medical Board of Survey which evaluates injured RN/RM personnel for medically discharge, continued service in a reduced capacity or return to full duty (RTD). Population at risk data was calculated from service records.There were 277 casualties in the study period: 61 (22%) of these were fatalities; of the 216 survivors, 63 or 29% were medically discharged; 24 or 11% were placed in a reduced fitness category. A total of 129 individuals (46% of the total and 60% of survivors) returned to full duty. The greatest number of casualties was sustained in 2007; there was a 3% casualty risk per year of operational service between 2007–2013. The most common reason cited by the Naval Service medical board of survey for medical downgrading or discharge was injuries to the lower limb with upper limb trauma being the next most freq...