Successful implementation of thirty five major orthopaedic procedures under poor conditions after the two thousand and fifteen Nepal earthquake

Abstract

Background: After receiving the 25 April 2015 Nepal earthquake relief mission, a fully self-sufficient Rescue Center of Trauma set up quickly in downtown Kathmandu by Chengdu Military Medical Team of PLA P. R. China. Methods: The medical team consisted of 68 members and 40 tons of supplies, which was equivalent to a small hospital. The medical area and living area were constructed with tents. Operating areas were converted from eight simple bungalows. The main purpose of the Rescue Center of Trauma was to save those earthquake survivors who needed surgery. Results: From 30 April to 10 May, 35 cases of orthopaedic internal fixation and external fixation operations were completed in the Rescue Center of Trauma. Surgery involved a total of 27 patients. All of the 27 orthopaedic surgery patients received treatment without any serious complications, including internal fixation failure, infection, amputation, limb deformities, limb dysfunction, or skin necrosis. Conclusions: Trauma infection rates are usually higher after an earthquake. Due to poor conditions, implementation of orthopaedic surgery at a field hospital is limited due to a lack of blood, equipment, and drugs. Infection control remains a key determinant of the success of surgery. Effective measures to control infection include strict environmental disinfection, extending the sterilizing time of fixation devices and supplies, doubling the number and time of washing and disinfection, and rational use of antibiotics based on past experience.