Frequency of barodontalgia among military or civilian pilots and aircrew members.

BACKGROUND: Barodontalgia is dental pain triggered by a change in barometric pressure and can be severe enough to cause in-flight incapacitation. There is a large variation of in-flight barodontalgia incidence in the literature and most of the current epidemiological data on barodontalgia has been compiled from military aircrew. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of barodontalgia in French military and civilian aircrew. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010. The pilots and crewmembers attending 10 medical units of the French Air Force and Navy, and 5 dedicated to civilian pilots and aircrew were given a standardized and anonymous questionnaire to complete regarding demographic and professional characteristics as well as their barodontalgia. RESULTS: Out of the 1475 questionnaires distributed, 1184 responded (response rate of 80.3%), and 6.6% of these participants (N = 74) reported at least one event of barodontalgia during their career (95% CI: 5.1-8.1%); 43 (6.8%) from the air force and 31 (6.5%) from a civilian service. Median pain intensity during barodontalgia was evaluated at 5.5 out of 10. Pain appeared most commonly during descent (47.3%) and was more frequent below 8000 m. In 10 cases (13.5%), the pilots reported that barodontalgia could have compromised flight security. DISCUSSION: Despite the improvement of aeronautical equipment and the quality of dental care, barodontalgias were still present in 2010 in the French military and in civilian aircrews. We recommend prevention programs be established in order to minimize the frequency of barodontalgias and their potential repercussions on flight safety.

CASA Medevac Operations Proof of Concept in the Southern Indian Ocean Zone.

BACKGROUND: Air medical evacuations by tactical aircraft are mandatory in every country, particularly in deployments abroad where hospital resources are limited. In the overseas French departments, it can be particularly useful for military and civilian scientists stationed on the very remote islands of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. This priority medical support mission uses fixed wing CASA CN235 aircraft and is led by the French Air Force and the French Military Medical Service, in cooperation with the civilian health service.CASE REPORT: The authors present the case of a French soldier with chest trauma on an isolated island who benefited from continuum of care during his air evacuation to Reunion Island.DISCUSSION: This case illustrates that the "CASA Medevac" concept has become a crucial link in the French medical evacuation chain in remote areas. The complex organization, the human material resources, and, finally, the training program are briefly presented.Guénot P, Dubecq C, Colleu F, Dubourg O, Lec C, Bertran P-E. CASA Medevac operations proof of concept in the southern Indian Ocean zone. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2022; 93(6):536-539.