• Jocelyn Corniche, Mathieu Pasquier, Bertrand Yersin, Christian Kern, and Patrick Schoettker.
• Anesthesiology Department, University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland. Jocelyn.Corniche@chuv.ch
• Air Med. J. 2012 Mar 1;31(2):87-91.

IntroductionWe sought to study the operational and medical aspects of helicopter rescue missions involving the use of a winch.SettingA single helicopter-based medical service of a pre-alpine region of Switzerland.MethodsWe prospectively studied consecutive primary rescue interventions involving winching of a physician, from October 1, 1998 to October 1, 2002. Demographic, medical and operational aspects as well as outcome at 48 hours were analyzed.ResultsWe included 133 patients. Most (74%) were male, with traumatic injuries (77%). The median scene time of the nine severely injured patients (Injury Severity Scale [ISS] > 15) was significantly longer compared with the other patients (54 vs 37 minutes; P < .05). The main medical procedures performed were orotracheal intubation (n = 5), fracture reductions (n = 5), major analgesia with sedation (n = 4), and intravenous fluid administration of more than 1,500 mL (n = 4). Fourteen (10%) patients suffering from minor injuries were triaged by the physician and not airlifted to the hospital. All 133 patients were alive at 48 hours. Sixty-nine (52%) were still hospitalized. No secondary interhospital transfer was required.ConclusionOur study provides a better knowledge of injury profile, medical aspects, and outcomes of patients rescued necessitating a winching procedure.Copyright © 2012 Air Medical Journal Associates. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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