Dhaka, Bangladesh 2007

Surgery Can Give Greater Mobility to a Child

Surgery Can Give Greater Mobility to a Child
Originally uploaded by interplast

Shorna's eyes and smile capture you. She is a beautiful 5 year old. A little less than a year ago, Shorna had a dish towel hanging from her arm that caught the flame of the family's oil lamp, their only source of light in their home. Instantly, her arm was engulfed in flames, her mother explained to us. The result was a horrible wound and Shorna being pulled from school, where she was in her first year. And now, she suffers from a burn contracture that will not allow her to straighten her arm. The Interplast team has scheduled her for surgery to release her contracture and give her greater freedom of movement.

Residents Learning Interplast's Safety Protocols

Residents Learning Interplast's Safety Protocols
Originally uploaded by interplast

Several of the plastic surgery residents joined Interplast for its review of safety protocols before surgery.

Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for Surgery
Originally uploaded by interplast

Before Interplast starts surgery, team members discuss the protocols and procedures in case an emergency happens. Dr. Fred Mihm, volunteer anesthesiologist, leads the team through the “scenarios,” the established emergency protocols set by Interplast medical advisory committees over the years.

"Education Is Our Focus"

"Education Is Our Focus"
Originally uploaded by interplast

Dr. Jean La Belle uses every moment possible as an opportunity to teach. “Education is our focus. It’s why we come,” said La Belle. Interplast works to increase the supply of trained doctors who care for the poor year-round in some of the most underserved regions of the world.

Examining Patients Thoroughly

Examining Patients Thoroughly
Originally uploaded by interplast

After the surgeons examine patients to see if reconstructive surgery is an appropriate treatment, Dr. Mary Hermann, volunteer pediatrician, and Drs. Scott Douglass and Marshall Jones, volunteer anesthesiologists, evaluated the patients to see if they would be healthy enough for safe surgery. Pictured here is Dr. Marshall Jones with a potential patient.

Some Children Not Healthy Enough for Surgery

Some Children Not Healthy Enough for Surgery
Originally uploaded by interplast

Unfortunately, some of the children were not healthy enough for surgery, like this little girl. Hopefully, with iron supplements for her anemia, her health will improve and she will be able to have surgery to repair her hand.

Examining Patients at Clinic

Examining Patients at Clinic
Originally uploaded by interplast

At clinic, Dr. Sally Langley (bottom right) and Dr. Jean La Belle examined 60 patients to decide if surgery would be appropriate for their hand injuries and deformities. Many of the residents observed and discussed the cases.

Clinic in Dhaka

Clinic in Dhaka
Originally uploaded by interplast

On Sunday morning, after very few hours of sleep, Interplast began clinic to evaluate patients. The hallways outside Shafquat’s office were teeming with potential patients and their families.

Surgery Residents to Observe and Work with Team

Surgery Residents to Observe and Work with Team
Originally uploaded by interplast

Dr. Shafquat Khundkar, Interplast’s surgical outreach director, introduces the plastic surgery residents to the Interplast team. Approximately 8-10 residents will be receiving hands-on training and lectures for complicated hand surgeries, while observing and working with volunteer surgeons Dr. Sally Langley and Dr. Jean La Belle.

Unloading Medical Supplies

Unloading Medical Supplies
Originally uploaded by interplast

After traveling for 24 hours or more, team members unloaded boxes at 3am, Saturday at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where we will be working for the next two weeks.

Arriving in Dhaka

  Arriving in Dhaka

Eleven medical volunteers, two coordinator / translators and I arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh to provide free reconstructive surgery for children and adults with hand injuries.

Dr.Shafquat Khundkar, Interplast's surgical outreach director, met us at the airport.  Khundkar (center) is talking with Nancy Chee, volunteer hand therapist and team leader, and Dr. Jean La Belle, volunteer plastic surgeon.  Nancy and several of the other volunteers are returning to Bangladesh, having been here with Interplast in 2003, 2004 and/or 2005.  Interplast was not able to come last year because of the political unrest associated with the student protests.