Anaesthetic management under field conditions after the 12 May 2008 earthquake in Wenchuan, China.

Objective: To summarise our experiences of anaesthetic management under field conditions after the Wenchuan earthquake, China, on 12 May 2008.

Methods: Medical records of earthquake victims who received emergency operations under anaesthetic techniques in our field hospital were retrospectively analysed, including patient's demographic data, injury types, surgical procedures, anaesthetic techniques and perioperative care.

Results: Among the 111 patients who required anaesthesia, the eldest was 81 years old, and the youngest was 5 months old. The methods of anaesthesia included general anaesthesia (19 cases), intrathecal anaesthesia (40 cases), monitored anaesthesia care (41 cases) and brachial plexus block (11 cases). Most of the patients were stable and safe during intra- and postoperative period, including successful resuscitation of two newborns, no major complications occurred.

Conclusions: Earthquake-related injuries are complex. In view of dehydration, hypovolaemia and crush injury are common in earthquake victims, it is essential to perform adequate fluid therapy preoperatively, to ensure safety and reduce complications. Monitored anaesthesia care and regional anaesthesia are highly suitable for anaesthesia under field conditions, they are safe and efficacious. General anaesthesia also can be performed to avail the prompt treatment for the severe injuries in a well-equipped deployable field hospital nowadays. Appropriate anaesthetic management can improve the outcomes to a great extent and is an important component of medical assistance after disasters.