Anesthesia Provision in Disasters and Armed Conflicts
Disasters and armed conflicts are characterised by high numbers of trauma cases, and occur mainly in developing countries
Abstract
Purpose of review
Disasters and armed conflicts are characterised by high numbers of trauma cases, and occur mainly in developing countries where the healthcare response is already impaired, resulting in an inadequate response. Aside of the trauma cases, other surgical health conditions are also still present and require urgent care. Surgical care needs are different from context to context and depend on local means and capabilities.
Recent findings
Doctors without Borders (MSF) has proven that even in precarious situations, safe administration of anesthesia is possible, and the “do no harm” principle can and must be upheld. Anesthesia providers need to recognize the difficulties linked to these contexts.
Summary
Local, spinal and general intravenous (mainly with Ketamine) anesthetics seem to be the most widely accepted. Inhalation anesthesia has constraints; regional is underused and epidural is not recommended. Standard operative procedures should be in place, and an informed consent from the patient must be granted.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Centurion MT, Van Den Bergh R, Gray H. Anesthesia Provision in Disasters and Armed Conflicts. Current anesthesiology reports. 2017; 7(1):1–7.