Australian Defence Force surgical support to peacekeeping operations in East Timor.

Background: The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has provided surgical support to peacekeeping operations in East Timor since September 1999. The aim of the present paper is to document the wide range of surgical procedures performed by the ADF in East Timor from September 1999 to December 2002 on peacekeeping force personnel and the civilian population.

Methods: Records of all surgical procedures performed by the ADF in East Timor from their arrival in September 1999 to December 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Details of the type of procedures performed and anaesthetic administered, the age and sex of the patients and whether they were a member of peacekeeping forces or East Timorese civilian were recorded.

Results: There were 702 surgical procedures performed by the ADF in East Timor during this period, of which 401 (57%) were for peacekeeping force personnel and 301 (43%) were for East Timorese or other civilians. The most commonly performed procedures were for the management of non-battle wounds, accounting for 181 cases (26%). Battle-type wounds accounted for only 36 procedures (5%). Obstetric and gynaecology cases accounted for 30 procedures (4%). Fifty-six procedures (8%) were on children 12 years or younger.

Conclusions: The wide range of surgical procedures performed by the ADF during peacekeeping operations in East Timor highlights the requirement for deployed surgeons to possess a broad range of clinical skills and has implications for their preparation and training. Battle-type wounds accounted for only a small proportion of procedures.