Socioeconomic considerations regarding a land mine victim with maxillofacial injuries.

ABSTRACT

This article describes a case we experienced while doing volunteer medical work in Cambodia for six months in 2002. By examining treatment of a 14-year-old female land mine victim with maxillofacial injuries, we report on the present socio-medical situation in Cambodia. This case suggests the lack of infrastructure, facilities, human resources, and patient education make it extremely difficult to provide patients with proper treatment, including general anesthesia. A comparison of land mine victim statistics between 2002 and 2005 reveals significant problems.