Medical evacuations during high-altitude training in a unit of Air Force in 2020-2024

HUANG Jian; LI Meng; SHEN Daiyue; WU Qiping; NIU Shijie; JING Rui

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2025.03.012

Abstract：Objective To explore the characteristics and patterns of medical evacuations out of high-altitude areas in order to provide a reference for military training at high altitudes.Methods Cases of medical evacuation in an Air Force unit during high-altitude training between May 2020 and May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.Results From May 2020 to May 2024,a total of 61 cases of medical evacuation were recorded.The top three causes were injuries and poisoning(19 cases,31.15％),digestive system diseases(13 cases,21.31％),and diseases of the ear,nose,throat,and eyes as well as acute high-altitude reactions(8 cases each,13.11％).Medical evacuations accounted for 47.54％ of the total(29/61)in 2020 and 26.23％(16/61)in 2021.Cases that occurred in December 2020,January 2021,and September 2020 accounted for 22.95％(14/61),11.48％(7/61),and 9.84％(6/61)respectively.Conclusion The diseases that led to medical evacuations in high-altitude areas were mostly injuries and poisoning,digestive system diseases,diseases of the ear,nose,throat and eyes,and acute high-altitude reactions.They were more prevalent in December 2020,January 2021,and September 2022.There is an urgent need to plan for medical support in winter,enhance the high-altitude adaptability of soldiers in order to reduce the incidence of training injuries and improve the combat effectiveness of the troops.