REVIEW OF ANAESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA IN THE FIELD WITH EMPHASIS ON AIRBORNE MILITARY OPERATIONS.

The purpose of this article is to discuss various factors associated with successful handling of mass casualties in the field with special reference to the airborne military operations. Various limitations specific to airborne operations are highlighted. Stress is laid on the importance of variables as they effect medical support and planning. Various analgesics, both opiates and non opiates including role of subanaesthetic doses of ketamine are discussed. Adequate knowledge and experience in wide ranging field techniques including improvisations is stressed. The facts are placed in a specific, original context through which new insight can be derived. The feasibility of incorporating light weight modern equipments in field anaesthesia are also brought out.