ObjectiveTo select the best plan for establishing frontline surgical team (FST) for emergency medical relief based on the characteristics of health service for non-battle military missions, hoping to provide theoretical reference and evidence for establishing FST. MethodsThis study proposed 4 options to setup FST, including establishing a new one (P1), integration of professional operation teams (P2), selected group from field medical unit (P3), and modification of existing field medical team (P4). The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to analyze the relevant factors influencing the establishment of FST, in an effort to build a hierarchical model diagram and to form a judgment matrix score of four scenarios; the four programs was evaluated by consulting experts and calculating the index weights and general weights. ResultsThe consistency of matrix test results was judged as CR<0.10, with the weights of the program scores being P1 =0.213 8, P2 =0.242 0, P3=0.205 4, and P4 =0.338 8. ConclusionApplication of AHP can achieve satisfactory result in selecting optimal plan for establishing FST; the optimal option to establish FST is to convert the existing field medical team (P4).