Patterns of surgical workload and trauma injuries in a Gaza hospital

Providing healthcare in an active war zone is very difficult, especially with the considerable surge in workload.

To describe the surgical workload at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, one of the hospitals in Gaza Strip, during the first year of the October 2023 war.

We reviewed available records of patients admitted to the hospital between October 2023 and September 2024 to identify the surgical caseload and details of their management, including the types of emergency cases, distribution of injuries, types of shock at arrival, and infection rates.

At least 2000 surgical patients were seen during the period. Approximately one-quarter of these were traumatic cases, and the abdomen was the most common region affected. There was nearly 50% mortality among patients with Class 4 hypovolemic shock. Infection rate continues to increase.

Penetrating abdominal trauma was the most common injury and it required significant operative resources. Infection rates have increased considerably in the recent months due to various factors. This situation is alarming and requires urgent attention and action by the global medical and humanitarian community.