Civilian field surgery in the rural trauma setting : a proposal for providing optimal care

Rural trauma presents unique problems for surgical care. While military surgeons are prepared to provide care at or near the scene of battle, civilian literature is devoid of reports for care provided by surgeons at sites of injury occurrences. Although these injuries are infrequent, they are more likely to occur in rural trauma settings. This article describes two cases of extremity injury that required amputation at the scene and presents a proposal for swift mobilization of appropriately trained surgeons to the scene with adequate instrumentation and lighting, which can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality of these victims.