Washington, Oct 27: Thanks to better protective gear and new aggressive medical techniques, US troops are more likely to survive combat wounds in Iraq than they have been in most wars over the last century. Analysis of those wounded since the Iraq war began in March showed that one American service member had been killed for every seven injured in combat while during all major wars in the 20th century one American serviceman died for every two to seven wounded in combat, USA Today said.
Factors such as better protective gear and aggressive new medical techniques now mean that many troops who might have died are now surviving, though some come away with grievous wounds.
"We have been able to save many more wounded service members (than in past wars)," Col. Ron Maul, a physician who is the senior medical adviser at US Central Command in Tampa, said.
Maul and other medical experts cite several reasons for the sharp increase in the survival rate.
Wounded troops see surgeons and trauma specialists much more quickly. In Iraq, mobile surgical teams travel with combat units and can begin operating on severely wounded troops in minutes.
Bureau Report