On the Move: A Review of Mobile and Military Surgery

The ability to provide ambulatory and mobile surgery services in rural and austere environments has seen tremendous growth in recent decades due to innovations in surgical techniques and equipment. These advances have been implemented in both civilian and military settings, increasing the capabilities of surgeons and surgical subspecialists across the globe. This review aims to briefly explore the history of ambulatory and mobile surgery and describe the recent efforts to make advancements in this field to improve global surgery opportunity and access, as well as to provide an overview of both military and civilian utilizations of mobile surgical teams and strategies.