Surgical management of Syria’s war casualties: experience from a French surgical team deployed in the Zaatari refugee camp (Jordan)

Abstract

Purpose

In August 2012, the Zaatari refugee camp was opened in Jordan under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. France deployed there a surgical facility to treat victims of war trauma.

Methods

After a phase of intensive care and resuscitation, surgical management meeting the current standards of war surgery was conducted. Then, patients were transferred to a Jordanian civilian hospital or stayed in the Zaatari camp. A retrospective analysis of patient data was performed.

Results

From January to March 2013, 95 patients were managed: 85 % of patients were male with a median age of 27 years (4–65); 5 % of patients were <18 years of age. All patients were Syrian, civilian or members of the “Free Syrian Army.” Penetrating trauma accounted for 95 % of lesions. A total of 105 surgeries were performed, including: 33 external fixators, 8 laparotomies, 8 nerve repairs, 6 cover flaps, 4 direct arterial repairs, 2 reversed saphenous vein bypass grafts, and 1 amputation. The median length of stay on the wards was 3·71 days; 43 % of patients were transferred to Jordanian civilian hospitals.

Conclusions

The presence at the Zaatari camp of a surgical facility, which is experienced and specialized in war surgery, is essential, as long as battles are ongoing. Many victims will later require long-term surgical care for the management of the sequelae associated with these traumas.