Cao Lanh, Vietnam 2007 Surgical Trip

Thank You!

  Drs. Wilson and Frankel with Interplast patients 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Ian Wilson in the far left and Lorry Frankel in the far right pose with Interplast patients and their families. Note how much happier the parents look compared to the children, many of whom are in uncomfortable no-nos (restraints on the arms to prevent the kids from picking at their stitches).

Even though the children were a little uncomfortable, the patients were very grateful for the surgeries performed free of charge by Interplast.  The parents were especially thankful, because unlike their kids, they understood that their poverty prevented them from offering their children the opportunities afforded to people without congenital deformities or other defects.

Thank You To Scarborough Middle School

  Lorry Frankel and Patient with Thank You Card 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Pediatrician Lorry Frankel is shown here with a patient and one of the translators.  The patient is holding up one of the thank you cards made by Ms. Peron's 8th grade class at Scarborough Middle School in Scarborough, Maine.  Dr. Harmatz, one of the plastic surgeons on the team and an Interplast board member, has a daughter in the class.

As you can see, the patients really appreciated them, and were really touched that children from across the world cared enough to create and decorate the cards.  The patients wished to thank their counterparts in Maine for their warm wishes.

Patients and Mothers

  Patients and Mothers 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

The grateful mothers of these Interplast patients were much happier than their children, who were still pretty groggy from their surgeries. This is a common sight on Interplast trips. Even though we change children's lives, it is usually the parent who is grateful, while the post-op child is either groggy or cranky.

Phong Beug and Ian Wilson Post-Op

  Ian Wilson With Burn Patient 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Dr. Ian Wilson, the 2006-2007 Webster Fellow, performed the skin grafting procedure to release the burn contractures.  He will now be more adept at moving his head and neck, and will have better job prospects because he will be able to perform more tasks.

Patient in the PACU

  Patient in the PACU 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

After the surgery, the children are taken to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Here they are carefully monitored by PACU nurses as they slowly wake up from the anesthesia.

Pre-Operative Surgery Safety

  Phong Beug 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

This is Phong Beug. He was burned in a gasoline fire, which is all too common here in Cao Lanh, Vietnam.  If you look closely, you can see blue pen marks on he neck and face.  These are made to guide the surgeons and to make sure that they do not do any procedure that has not been approved by the rest of the team at clinic day.

Patient Entertained By Nametag

  My Nametag! 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Before this little boy's surgery, we tried to get him to face the camera for a picture.  Unfortunately, the name was so enthralling to the kid that we couldn't get him to look up.

Dr. Flaherty With Cleft Lip Patient

  Dr. Flaherty With Cleft Lip Patient 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

This girl had a unilateral cleft lip repaired by Dr. Flaherty.  Had Interplast donors not paid for her surgery, she would have been condemned to a life of stigma and ostricization.  In a few weeks, the scar and swelling will diminish and she will look like her peers.

One Happy Patient

  Interplast team and patient 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

This little guy really enjoyed attention, and loved having his picture taken.  Most of the children were really happy before the surgery, but pretty subdued afterwards.  This boy was more than happy to show his thanks to the doctors even after his surgery.

Blogging From Cao Lanh, Vietnam

  Interplast Team Members 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Hello!  For the next two weeks, Interplast volunteers will be working in and blogging from Cao Lanh, Vietnam.  We will be providing free reconstructive surgery for poor children (and some adults) with cleft lips/palates, burns and other congenital deformities or injuries.  Check back often for stories about patients, families and team members.