Dhaka, Bangladesh VE Workshop 2008

Working Together

  Working Together 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Dhaka, Bangladesh-- Dr. Steve Garner, Interplast visiting educator.

We just finished a long operating and clinic day.  After finishing two wound debridement/skin graft cases, we tackled one of the primary cases Dr. Shafquat Khundkar asked me to help with as a Visiting Educator. The patient had a large wound from a pressure sore/post radiation injury.   I offered Dr. Shafquat my input and together we did a split gluteus muscle flap on the patient. I've never seen quite so many people gathered around an operating room table observing! It was a great day. At the end of the day, after long hot hours I remembered how good a cold glass of Coke can taste.

Big Need, Small World

Dhaka, Bangladesh-- Dr. Steve Garner, Interplast visiting educator.

Last night I had dinner with a young Bengali plastic surgeon named Tarek who trained with Interplast’s Surgical Outreach Director, Dr. Shafquat Khundkar.  We had a lengthy and lively conversation about burn care in Bangladesh.  He works at a 50-bed burn unit which sees 250 patients a day.  Many of his patients are forced to lay in the hallways due to lack of space. 

Yesterday at the clinic, we saw a young child with leg burns caused by accidentally walking on burning embers. In discussing her case, I emphasized the importance of grafting her leg carefully while monitoring blood loss. Dr. Tarek shared with me that they had a patient pass away due to not only 20% burns on his body but also excessive grafting. If my whole trip does nothing more than prevent such incidents from happening again, I will be soul satisfied.

Other than my attempts at humor during lectures going over like lead balloons, all is well.  I am confident that it is the language barrier and has nothing to do with my delivery. My favorite funny yesterday was the young Bengali strolling past me with a t-shirt saying "Save Ferris".  World sure is small.

Able to Help

  Able to Help 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Dhaka, Bangladesh-- Dr. Steve Garner, Interplast visiting educator.

Another great day in Bangladesh!  Again, I gave two lectures and spoke on Dressings/ Drains and Angiosomes/ Foot Flaps. We saw several patients and prepared a tentative surgery schedule for tomorrow.  So far all our exchanges have been lively, interesting and, most importantly, well received. The lectures will hopefully help my colleagues provide improved care to their patients.
There are so many chronic burn and injury wounds, they are heartbreaking.  I feel very fortunate to be able to help.

Arriving in Bangladesh

  Arriving in Bangladesh 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Dhaka, Bangladesh-- Dr. Steve Garner, Interplast visiting educator.

Hello, my name is Steve Garner, M.D., and I’m a volunteer plastic surgeon participating in Interplast’s Visiting Educator program. My first day here in Dhaka was excellent. I gave two lectures to a group of 25 physicians and residents from hospitals all over the city. The weather is warm but not beastly.  All of the Bengali people have been quite gracious and friendly. I look forward to another productive day tomorrow.