US AIR-FORCE AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION OF OBSTETRIC PATIENTS IN EUROPE

U.S. Air Force (USAF) regulations do not recommend the routine movemen t of obstetrical patients greater than 34 weeks gestation. However, U. S. Department of Defense and embassy physicians throughout Europe cont inually request aeromedical movement of obstetrical patients greater t han 34 weeks gestation. Therefore, a year-long prospective review of o bstetric patient movement within the military aeromedical system in Eu rope was undertaken to evaluate the need for and safety of transportin g pregnant women over 34 weeks gestation. Civilian studies demonstrate the safety of transporting these patients, but these studies generall y address short-range transport by helicopter. By contrast, the USAF o perates a high-volume, long-range aeromedical evacuation system with l arge fixed-wing aircraft. Of the 13,095 patients reported for military aeromedical movement within the study time frame, 329 patients were u neventfully airlifted for obstetrical reasons. This study suggests tha t long distance movement by fixed-wing aircraft of obstetric patients at any gestational age can be done safely in the USAF military aeromed ical system.