[Surgical activity in a mass casualty situation: humanitarian relief mission in Pakistan]

On October 8th 2005, a violent earthquake struck the northern region of Pakistan resulting in a large number of injuries and deaths. In response to this catastrophe, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) offered logistic support, including material and medical staff. After evaluating the needs, the SDC sent two surgeons to the city of Mansehra for a short term mission. At that site a college had been transformed into a field hospital by a multidisciplinary Pakistani team, already busy at work. Up to 200 casualties per day were brought to that center for a first surgical procedure consisting in debridement, application of traction, or external fixation. In total, more than 2000 people were treated during this two week mission.