Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Amputation in emergency situations: indications, techniques and Médecins Sans Frontières France’s experience in Haiti

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Orthopaedics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The decision to amputate is always difficult but becomes even harder in emergency situations, which usually present extra complicating factors.

MSF Experience

These include human factors (related to both the surgeon and the patient); poor or nonexistent medical facilities, especially in war conditions or resource-poor countries; and cultural and religious considerations. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has developed a quick medical and logistical response that relies on surgical protocols adapted to emergency situations, together with complete “kits” of medical equipment, supplies and inflatable facilities.

Conclusion

Our response to Haiti’s 2010 earthquake relied on these tools but also highlighted the need to develop more detailed protocols that will help our teams on the ground.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ikem IC, Oginni LM, Bamgboye EA (2001) Open fractures of the lower limb in Nigeria. Int Orthop 25:386–388

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Pukljak D (1997) External fixation-minimal osteosynthesis: indications, role, and place in war surgery 1989. J Trauma 43:275–282

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Slauterbeck JR, Britton C, Moneim MS, Clevenger FW (1994) Mangled extremity severity score: an accurate guide to treatment of the severely injured upper extremity. J Orthop Trauma 8:282–285

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hofheinz E (2010) “Haiti: are we learning anything?” Orthopedics This Week. http://ryortho.com/trauma.php?article=290_Haiti-Are-We-Learning-Anything

  5. Handicap International (2011) A year of action in Haiti. http://www.handicap-international.org.uk/what_we_do/emergencies/haiti_earthquake/activities_haiti

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MSF, Paris, France

    Patrick Herard & François Boillot

Authors
  1. Patrick Herard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. François Boillot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick Herard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Herard, P., Boillot, F. Amputation in emergency situations: indications, techniques and Médecins Sans Frontières France’s experience in Haiti. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 36, 1979–1981 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1552-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1552-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation