Neurosurgery in Rwanda during a United Nations peace-keeping mission

An analysis of the neurosurgical component of the medical support provided by a United Nations peace-keeping mission in Rwanda is presented. The Australian Defence Force contingent provided medical support to the United Nations and the civilian population. Eight hundred thirty-eight procedures were performed during 12 months. A wide range of surgery was encompassed, with neurosurgery accounting for 17 (2%) of the total operations: compound depressed fractured skull, 5; intracranial pressure monitor, 2; burr holes for acute head injury and chronic subdural hematoma, 2; skull osteomyelitis debridement, 1; rib-graft cranioplasty, 2; scalp rotation flap, 1; congenital myelomeningocele, 2; occipital meningocele, 1; craniofacial approach to Le Fort III fracture, 1. A broad range of neurosurgical procedures have been performed. The overall numbers of neurosurgical operations were small, but they were successfully performed by general surgeons. Familiarity with neurosurgery is necessary in predeployment training of military surgeons working in a remote location with limited resources.