Military surgery research laboratory — yesterday, today, tomorrow…

Presents the history of organization and development of a unique research unit of the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov, which is engaged in conducting field experiments and field tests using laboratory animals. The history of the laboratory starts in 1982 with the organization of the combat trauma research laboratory, led by an experienced abdominal surgeon, holder of post-doctoral degree in medicine, professor, colonel of Medical Corps V.A. Popov. Within a short time, the research laboratory succeeded in staffing with highly qualified interdisciplinary team, including surgeons, pathophysiologists, critical care physicians, biochemists, morphologists, microbiologists. This gave the opportunity to carry out research on modern combat trauma not only in the experiments with laboratory animals and on the treatment of casualties admitted to the Academy’s clinics, but also in the combat environment of Afghanistan war — as a mobile interdisciplinary team based at medical institutions of the 40th Army. In June 1993 the Combat Trauma research laboratory was combined with the Shock and Terminal State research laboratory, as a result the War Surgery research laboratory was organized, which joined War Surgery department. The laboratory activity focused on in-depth study of problems of experimental surgery and wound ballistics, pathobiochemistry and pathomorphology of ballistic wound. In July 5, 2011, because of staffing measures the laboratory became part of a newly formed research department (experimental medicine) of the Research Center of the Academy. Then laboratory scientists proceeded with the development of traditional research directions: the study of modern wound ballistics, assessment of weapons damage and protective characteristics of individual body protective facilities (body armor, helmets), carried out in terms of War Surgery, as well as the study of a new type of weapon — "nonlethal" weapon, the development of unbiased diagnostic tests and complication prognosis for casualties with multiple trauma, optimization and improvement of treatment policy under variety of conditions. At present, the research laboratory (War Surgery) specialists in cooperation with colleagues of War Surgery department are actively involved in the studies devoted to investigation of combat surgical trauma, effectiveness of modern individual armor, development of medical items and technologies treatment of casualties, taking an active part in the educational process.