Changes in patient profile and neurosurgical procedures in a large military hospital in Colombia before and after the peace process: A retrospective analysis of clinical records

• Published in: Journal of military and veterans' health. Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 16 - 19
• Main Authors: Harold Palmera Pineda, F Montoya, D Rosselli, L Estrada, K Luengas, J C Luque
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: Canberra Department of Defence 01.07.2022
• Subjects: Administration; Armed Forces; Care; Health aspects; International cooperation; Medical care; Military hospitals; Patients; Peace
• ISSN: 1835-1271

Aim: Colombia concluded a peace agreement with its largest guerrilla group (known as FARC) in 2016. The study aimed to compare neurosurgical procedures performed at the largest national military hospital during a two-year period at the height of the armed conflict (2003-2004) with a similar period around the official signing of the agreement (2015-2017). Methods: Clinical records of all patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures from January 2003 to December 2004 and from July 2015 to June 2017 were reviewed. Demographic variables and procedures were analysed through basic descriptive statistics. Results: 527 patients' records were retrieved from the first period and 871 from the second; patients were predominantly male (71% and 61%, respectively). Median age increased from 35 years in the first period to 50 years in the second; active personnel decreased from 60% to 31%. Trauma represented 170 of 313 cranial surgeries (54%) in the first period and 96 of 571 (17%) in the latter. Conclusion: Patient profile in this military institution changed from being a war hospital in the middle of the conflict to one with a more 'civilian' pattern of procedures.