RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Four years of orthopaedic activities in Chinese Role 2 Hospital of eastern Mali peacekeeping area
JF BMJ Military Health
JO BMJ Mil Health
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 156
OP 160
DO 10.1136/jramc-2018-000981
VO 166
IS 3
A1 Dawei Zhang
A1 Z Li
A1 X Cao
A1 B Li
YR 2020
UL http://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/166/3/156.abstract
AB Introduction The Chinese Role 2 Hospital (CHN-Role 2H) Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) was founded in July 2013 as part of the Chinese commitment to Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). It provides medical care for approximately 5200 personnel of the whole Sector East of MINUSMA including UN military personnel, UN police and UN civilian staff. The aim of this study was to determine the orthopaedic surgical activity over a 4-year period to facilitate the training of future Chinese military surgical teams.Materials and methods Surgical records of all patients operated on at the CHN-Role 2H between 28 March 2014 to 28 March 2018 were identified, and all orthopaedic activity were analysed.Results During this period, 1190 patients underwent 2024 surgical procedures. Orthopaedic procedures represented 961/2024 (47.5%) of all the procedures. Battle injury (BI) represented 43% of patients. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were responsible for 15.8 % casualties. Fractures (49%) and soft tissue injures (43%) were the most common injuries, with 61% of the fractures being open. Damage control surgery including debridement (23.52%) and external fixation (17.90%) were the most frequently performed interventions.Conclusion Orthopaedic surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the CHN-Role 2H in Mali. The complexity and severity of injuries demonstrate the urgent need for tailored training and extended skill sets for deploying military orthopaedic surgeons.