Cusco, Peru Surgical Trip

Archana: Susan and Mike Organizing Supplies

  Susan and Mike Organizing Supplies 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

PACU nurse Susan Bruch and anesthesiologist Mike Fallon organizing recovery room supplies, including Tylenol products generously donated by the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

Archana: Mike and Supplies

  Mike and Supplies 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Anesthesiologist Mike Fallon unpacking the boxes of supplies. Much of what you see around him has also been donated in-kind from companies like Sun-Med and GE Healthcare (Datex Ohmeda).

Archana: John and Anesthesia Equipment

  John and Anesthesia Equipment 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Anesthesiologist John Holl waiting for his next case.  Much of the anesthesia equipment surrounding him has been donated by generous companies and organizations, including Tyco Healthcare, Abbott Laboratories, and AmeriCares.

Simone Performing Surgery

  Simone Performing Surgery 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Surgeon Simone Topal performing cleft palate surgery. Her gloves and instruments were all donated by medical supplies companies like DeRoyal, Stryker-Leibinger, SSI, and Ansell Healthcare.

Archana: Diego and Dr. Flynn

  Diego and Dr. Flynn 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Interplast provides free hand surgeries as a part of its mission to help children with birth defects and injuries. In fact, two of our 18 team trips this year are exclusively dedicated to providing hand surgeries for children with birth defects, burns, and other trauma. Here is an adorable follow up photo of Diego, who you met earlier this week. This morning, he came to see us for a lollipop and a dressing change.

Archana: Yudisa

  Yudisa 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

The surgeons decided to release one of her fingers so that she could pick up objects using her thumb and finger. Yudisa was so stoic going into the operating room, and so calm in the recovery room. Here is a photo of her resting after a dressing change yesterday. I’m so excited for Yudisa’s future with the functional use of both of her hands…

Archana: Yudisa With Stickers

  Yudisa With Stickers 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Here is a photo of Yudisa, a lovely four-year old girl who was born with a deformity of her left hand. Her four fingers were fused together, and she was missing part of her fingers as well. Here you’ll see a photo of Yudisa with some stickers that we gave her to cheer her up.

Mike Fallon: Cintia

  Cintia 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

I am Mike Fallon, one of the pediatric anesthesiologists on this trip. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe environment for the child before, during, and after surgery. We also assist the team pediatrician and surgeons in post-operative pain management.

Providing anesthesia at a high altitude results in some unique challenges, but with the three experienced anesthesiologists on this trip, we have been successful at providing safe and high-quality anesthesia for these life-changing surgeries. Having lived in Alaska for most of my life, I enjoy the altiplano region of Peru because it reminds me of home with its beautiful landscapes and cool weather.

Another challenge of providing anesthesia in developing countries is learning how to be resourceful in using the materials that are available, and not necessarily what we’re used to back at home. I really enjoy the challenge of making things work that otherwise might be problematic – it’s a lot like MacGyver!

It’s always a privilege to come and work with the children on these Interplast trips. Yesterday, I met Cintia, a cute little girl with a cleft palate. Although Cintia could not speak very well because of her palate, she was quite chatty and spoke through her mother, who was more familiar with her speech pattern.

Mike: Cintia And Her Birthday Presents

  Cintia And Her Birthday Presents 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Through her mother, Cintia told us that it was her fifth birthday! She was so excited to celebrate her special day with all of us. Here is a picture of Cintia before surgery. She is holding up her new stickers and wearing the barrettes that Maureen gave her for her birthday.

Mike: Maja and Her Little Helper

  Cintia and Maja 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

This morning on rounds, Cintia wanted to be the Interplast doctors’ little helper, so she walked around to each bed with Maja and Kathy in order to say hello to the other children and observe the conversations.