Urology in Vietnam: Historical, Medical, and Surgical Considerations

The war in Vietnam presented unique problems in the management of casualties. The weapons involved included modern high-velocity automatic rifles, such as the AK-47 used by the Communists and the M16 employed by the US forces. They also included Claymore mines, which, for the most part, inflicted blast injuries and fragment wounds to the lower extremities, pelvis, and abdomen. These contrasted with the crossbows and spears used by the Montagnard tribesmen and the sharp punji sticks, which were contaminated with feces and employed so effectively by the enemy. At one point, punji stick injuries accounted for 22.4% of admissions to the 2nd Surgical Hospital.