Medical and logistical challenges of trauma care in a 12-day cave rescue: A case report

Injury. 2016 Jan;47(1):280-3. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2015.09.005. Epub 2015 Sep 12.

Abstract

Aim: To describe the case of a patient with a severe head injury at a depth of about 1000 m from the cave entrance in Bavaria, Germany, who received pre-hospital trauma care for 12 days until evacuation.

Results: Search and rescue (SAR) operation involved 728 rescuers, 202 working directly in the cave (for a total of 9239 h) and 7 physicians from five countries. At 6-month follow-up, the patient had recovered completely and resumed his job.

Conclusion: This case highlights several pitfalls of trauma care in complex SAR operations, which often rely on expert knowledge and are not yet evidence-based practice.

Keywords: Caving; Emergency medical services; Head trauma; Mountain medicine; Search and rescue; Trauma care.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational
  • Air Ambulances
  • Caves*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / therapy*
  • Emergency Medical Services*
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Rescue Work*
  • Return to Work