Current research programs

Trauma Registry analysis: Afghanistan, Iraq, Cambodia, Vietnam

Trauma system quality and maturation by year.
Impact of trauma first responders (lay persons).
Trauma system adaptability by changing trauma epidemiology.

Trauma severity indicators: Iraq

Revision of the TRISS methodology based on local explanatory variables in the rural South.
Severity indicators in scenarios with long prehospital transit times.

Ketamine prehospital trauma analgesia: Iraq, Cambodia, and Vietnam

Retrospective study of TCF trauma registries (n = 5,000).
Controlled semi-randomized clinical trial of prehospital ketamine analgesia.
User study: paramedics’ 10-year experience with prehospital ketamine analgesia.

Microsurgery in compound fracture management: Norway and Germany

Feasibility of microsurgery in wartime make-shift hospitals.
Studies of distally hinged fascio-cutaneous flaps in post-injury osteomyelitis of the lower leg.

Early temporary prosthesis to prevent post-injury chronic pain syndromes: Cambodia

Controlled clinical study of early tuber ischii-bearing temporary prosthesis in traumatic transtibial amputation (semi-cross over sequential design with quantitative and qualitative outcome variables).

Post-injury malaria: Cambodia

Accuracy of rapid tests in trauma victims to identify semi-immune carriers of malaria Falciparum.
The preventive effect on post-injury malaria of immediate prehospital antimalarial treatment in trauma victims.

Delivery Life Support: Cambodia and Afghanistan

Effect on maternal and Perinatal mortality of early prehospital Delivery Life Support (prospective clinical intervention study, sequential design).
Developing statistical methodology for studies of small proportions (waiting-time analysis with inheritance).

Safe blood transfusion in the rural South: Cambodia and Vietnam

Prevalence studies of acute hepatitis C, and acute and “hidden” hepatitis B.
Accuracy of rapid tests in diagnosis of acute hepatitis C, and acute and “hidden” hepatitis B.
Walking rural blood bank for trauma and obstetric emergencies.

Qualitative studies of trauma care and rehabilitation: Iraq and Cambodia

Impact of land mines and cluster munitions on locals’ quality of life.
Social impact of grassroots trauma systems in low-income communities.
Organization and impact of village first helper-networks in primary trauma care.
Self-help groups and microcredit support for post-injury rehabilitation of mine- and war victims.