Dhaka, Bangladesh -- Tim Sproule, plastic surgeon: 21 June: I have had an interesting last day here at Dhaka Medical College. Shafquat had asked me to help him with a difficult case of obstetrical palsy: a young woman had suffered a traction injury to her arm at birth, and was left with a pratically paralyzed arm. After considering the case for a couple of days, and reading up on the options for her, I decided to advise Shafquat that the woman should wait for the hand team coming in November. While I have a lot of experience as a hand surgeon, her problem is simply beyond my expertise. I would be no better than Shafquat at helping her. This is humbling, but I feel it is in the patients best interest...
The case we did instead was one of a severe burn to the hand that required a complex release and placement of a groin flap. The team of trainees did virtually the entire case under my supervision, and demonstrated good surgical technique and a wonderful atmosphere of camaraderie.
I gave a final lecture right in the operating theater as the case was being completed, and then was overwhelmed to receive some gifts from the group for my small efforts this week. The Bangladeshis are so generous, despite having so little...
After the case was completed, I went on rounds and reviewed the small boy we had operated on the day before. He was doing fine, and hopefully will be ready for some further work in November when the full hand team comes.
I also toured through a couple of other wards. In one room, there were 77 patients in a space designated for 22. The halls were filled with patients and their families lying on the floors. Doctors and nurses do their best, but there are so few resources. I take a few pictures. The images hammer home why it is so important to help people like Shafquat who dedicate their lives to these suffering people. My contribution is so small in comparison...
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