EP41 - A Terrorist drone attack: A tragic experience with learning potential

Abstract Introduction A drone strike struck at the Homs Military Academy on October 2023. The strike injured over 277 persons and killed at least 89. One nearby public hospital was the first to receive the first wave of casualties. With a very limited staff and resources, huge efforts were employed to save as many lives as possible even if this meant breaking common protocols. Purpose to remind doctors, especially surgeons that desperate times call for desperate measures and wise judgment is critical in the darkest times. Overview Right after receiving the tragic news of the incident, the hospital declared to give up paperwork, discharge observational admissions, stop non-life-threatening admissions, assign non-clinical staff to assist clinical staff, and call for off-duty workers. As injuries started to present, the hospital prioritized head, thorax, and abdominal injuries. The nurse workforce was assigned to manage the minor injuries while doctors focused on the major ones. While treating and operating on patients, the healthcare providers overlooked sterilization protocols. Due to a shortage of operation rooms, surgical teams have performed operations on some patients in non-operative rooms without monitors, relying solely on IV anaesthesia and portable oxygen cylinders. Some have died, some have suffered from a lifetime disability, yet the prioritizing mentality has saved a lot of lives that day. Conclusion Adhering to protocols is essential. However, many experienced surgeons have come across numerous puzzling situations for which there are no clear standards. We stress the need for a surgeon to take action during these challenging periods and act with their wise judgment.