Tal Marom1, David Dagan2, Giora Weiser3, Joseph Mendlovic4, Gad Levy5, Manor Shpriz2, Dov Albukrek4. 1. Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Holon, Israel. Electronic address: maromtal@orange.net.il. 2. Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel. 3. Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Department of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. 4. Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel. 5. Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Department of Imaging, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Major natural disasters adversely affect local medical services and resources. We sought to characterize pediatric patients presenting with otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OTO-HNS)-related diseases/injuries to a field hospital over 11 days of operation, which was deployed to assist the healthcare facilities in Bogo, the Philippines, in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). METHODS: We reviewed charts of pediatric patients aged 0-18 years visiting our field hospital, who presented with OTO-HNS-related diseases/injuries. We also describe the structure of the field hospital, equipment, facilities and capabilities of our service, discuss medical and ethical concerns, and propose several recommendations for future similar missions. RESULTS: Of the 863 pediatric visits, 91 (11%) presented with OTO-HNS-related diseases/injuries, 3 of them were of recurring patients. Of the 88 included individual patients, 47 (53%) were boys, with an average age of 6.9±4.9 years. Ear-related diseases, mostly acute otitis media (AOM), and neck-related diseases were the most common pathologies (49% and 16% of the patients, respectively). Antibiotic therapy was administered to 36 (41%) patients, mostly to children with AOM. Despite limited resources, we were able to perform surgical interventions on 8 (9%) patients, which included laceration suturing, abscess drainage and neck surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Otolaryngologists have an important role in the treatment of children affected in a disaster area, at a time of an increased demand for healthcare. Unlike 'acute phase' missions, where traumatic injuries are the focus for treatment, 'subacute' phase missions provide more routine medical and surgical care.
BACKGROUND: Major natural disasters adversely affect local medical services and resources. We sought to characterize pediatric patients presenting with otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OTO-HNS)-related diseases/injuries to a field hospital over 11 days of operation, which was deployed to assist the healthcare facilities in Bogo, the Philippines, in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). METHODS: We reviewed charts of pediatric patients aged 0-18 years visiting our field hospital, who presented with OTO-HNS-related diseases/injuries. We also describe the structure of the field hospital, equipment, facilities and capabilities of our service, discuss medical and ethical concerns, and propose several recommendations for future similar missions. RESULTS: Of the 863 pediatric visits, 91 (11%) presented with OTO-HNS-related diseases/injuries, 3 of them were of recurring patients. Of the 88 included individual patients, 47 (53%) were boys, with an average age of 6.9±4.9 years. Ear-related diseases, mostly acute otitis media (AOM), and neck-related diseases were the most common pathologies (49% and 16% of the patients, respectively). Antibiotic therapy was administered to 36 (41%) patients, mostly to children with AOM. Despite limited resources, we were able to perform surgical interventions on 8 (9%) patients, which included laceration suturing, abscess drainage and neck surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Otolaryngologists have an important role in the treatment of children affected in a disaster area, at a time of an increased demand for healthcare. Unlike 'acute phase' missions, where traumatic injuries are the focus for treatment, 'subacute' phase missions provide more routine medical and surgical care.
Authors: Katherine T Flynn-O'Brien; Miguel Trelles; Lynette Dominguez; Ghulam Hiadar Hassani; Clemence Akemani; Aamer Naseer; Innocent Bagura Ntawukiruwabo; Adam L Kushner; David H Rothstein; Barclay T Stewart Journal: J Pediatr Surg Date: 2015-09-15 Impact factor: 2.545