ECHINOCOCCAL DISEASE AND THE PROVISION OF HUMANITARIAN SURGICAL AID IN BOSNIA

The Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to the republics of the f ormer Yugoslavia since 1992 as part of the United Nations Protection F orce and the NATO-led Implementation Force. Most of the combat arms un its have been supported by small, self-contained surgical teams for es sential surgery. Considerable benefit is gained by cooperating with ci vilian surgeons. The experience of treating five patients with complic ated hydatid disease endemic to the area is examined. Treatment of the se patients requires performing major surgical procedures under auster e conditions and must be undertaken with care. Careful selection and c ommunication with the surgical nursing team and civilian surgeons is e ssential. Well selected cases can also pay tremendous dividends in ter ms of maintaining the skills of personnel who must be prepared for any emergency in addition to providing vital surgical assistance to these patients.