title: Operating at sea in an aircraft carrier.
abstract: The policy of the Medical Officers serving in HMS Ark Royal between January 1988 and June 1989 with regard to surgery and anaesthesia at sea is described. The skills and equipment available, techniques used, operations performed and complications that resulted are outlined. The advantages and disadvantages of an active operating policy are discussed and the postulate ventured that in order to achieve maximum efficiency within the medical department of an aircraft carrier such a policy is justified. Finally, in the light of present day litigious trends, the question of the propriety of the policy is posed.
authors.affiliation: Royal Naval Hospital Haslar.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hett
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Dewar
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009326:Naval Medicine; D012767:Ships; D006113:United Kingdom