Pediatric Neurosurgical Care in a German Field Hospital in Afghanistan
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Published on: July 30, 2009
Uwe Max Mauer1, Gregor Freude1, Chris Schulz1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Armed Forces Hospital, Ulm, Germany.
Insights
Pediatric neurosurgery in military field hospitals is crucial, as 9% of procedures treated children under 18. Military Role 3 facilities require pediatric readiness for emergencies and training opportunities.
Area of Science:
- Military Medicine
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Global Health
Background:
- Children are frequently injured in war settings, with brain injuries significantly impacting prognosis.
- German Armed Forces hospitals may lack specialized pediatric neurosurgical care experience.
- Assessing pediatric neurosurgical cases in a deployed Role 3 field hospital is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the scope of pediatric neurosurgical procedures performed at a German Role 3 field hospital in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan.
- To determine the proportion of pediatric patients undergoing neurosurgery during military deployment.
- To inform military planning regarding pediatric emergency care capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of operative logbooks from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2013.
- Identification and quantification of neurosurgical procedures performed on patients under 18 years of age.
- Data collection on patient demographics and types of neurosurgical conditions.
Main Results:
- A total of 327 neurosurgical procedures were recorded, with 29 (9%) performed on pediatric patients (ages 5-17).
- The majority of pediatric cases (26/29) were trauma-related.
- Pediatric patients constituted nearly 10% of all neurosurgery patients, aligning with international data.
Conclusions:
- Role 3 medical facilities must be equipped and staffed for pediatric emergencies.
- Military medical personnel can gain valuable pediatric training through managing these cases.
- This training enhances preparedness for pediatric care in deployed settings.
Abstract:
Background and Study Objectives Children are commonly found among the injured in war settings. Prognosis often depends on the presence of brain injury. Not all neurosurgery departments of German Armed Forces hospitals, however, have experience in the care of children with neurosurgical conditions. Against this background, we assessed the group of pediatric neurosurgical patients in a German (Role 3) field hospital in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. Patients/Materials and Methods We analyzed the operative logbooks from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2013, to assess the number of neurosurgical procedures that were performed on children (< 18 years of age) at the field hospital of Mazar-e-Sharif. Results During the study period, 327 neurosurgical procedures were performed at the German field hospital. Of these, 29 (9%) were performed on children. The mean age of the pediatric patients (7 girls and 22 boys) was 11.7 years (median age: 12 years; range: 5-17 years). Only three procedures were performed for conditions other than trauma. Pediatric patients accounted for almost 10% of all patients who underwent neurosurgery during a recent military deployment in Mazar-e-Sharif. This percentage is similar to those reported by other nations. These findings show that a considerable number of children underwent neurosurgical treatment. Conclusions Military planners should be aware that Role 3 medical treatment facilities must provide care for pediatric emergencies and must therefore be staffed and equipped accordingly. For military hospitals at home, this means that the management of pediatric patients is an opportunity for medical personnel to receive important pediatric training that enables them to provide care to children in deployed medical facilities.
