Surgical emergency of non-traumatic nature needs attention

Abstract

The aim of managing surgical emergency includes evacuation of the patient to appropriate hospital to save his life. Patient’s condition requires prompt assessment, simultaneous resuscitation followed by early, urgent or immediate surgery timed for best outcome. The aim is not only to overcome surgical emergency and restore the patient back to his normal anatomical and physiological status but is also to reassure his friends and relations and clear their anxiety or apprehension. Patient requires attention, sympathy, and highly devoted care. Gravely ill patients requiring surgical emergency care should be managed in an exclusively designated and highly specialized dedicated unit in a hospital where they can receive focused uninterrupted attention by highly trained, skilled, energetic, efficient and knowledgeable staff which includes a team of doctors, nurses, technicians, paramedics headed by a Chief Intensivist. The unit should be self contained with medicines and state of the art equipment necessary for revival of the patient. The Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) should be co-located with departments like OT, Emergency Department and Radiology Department which support the emergency care. Objectives also include extending the availability of emergency services complete with logistic support and expertise to meet the challenge of life threatening conditions even in remote mountains and localities with difficult terrain. There should be provision of evacuation of the patients to hospitals which have facilities for advanced investigations and for specific definitive procedures. Therefore it should be possible to evacuate any emergency patient to nearest higher center by air ambulance, surface transport or even by sea depending upon the terrain.