Guyana’s first microvascular free tissue transfer was among one of 10 surgical procedures performed on burn patients over the past week at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). All done! From left to right: Dr. Aroon Yusuf, Dr. Nanda Gopal, Dr Timothy Sproule, Dr. Yin Hu and Dr. Shilindra Rajkumar.A press release from the entity stated that the procedure, which involves removing the tissues, muscles and vessels from one part of the body to another using a microscope, was spearheaded by a three-member team of Canadian surgeons – Drs. Timothy Sproule, Aroon Yusuf and Nanda Gopal. They were ably assisted by Dr. Yin Hu of the Chinese Medical Brigade and GPHC’S Dr. Shilindra Rajkumar.The surgery lasted five hours and thirty minutes. Dr. Sproule explained that the procedure was time consuming because of the complexity of the operation. The surgery was done on a 29-year-old male whose only other option was amputation.He had suffered severe burns to the left knee, and because it has deteriorated considerably, the joints were completely exposed.The procedure entailed the microsurgical transfer of the muscle, tissue and vessel from the man’s abdomen to the exposed area on the knee. According to Dr. Sproule, the vessels were a mere 2.5mm wide and the sutures used were much thinner than a strand of human hair, thus the use of the microscope. This very delicate part of the surgery lasted for fifty-five minutes.The team also reconstructed the tendons in the knee so that the patient would be able to extend the knee.Following the surgery, the patient’s condition was constantly monitored, and according to Dr. Sproule, the patient is expected to make a full recovery. He is currently recuperating in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).The team also performed a life-saving surgery on a seven-year-old boy who had burns to over 70 percent of his body. Dr. Sproule cautioned that he is still in a very critical condition, but would have been much worse without the surgery.During their one-week stay in Guyana, the team also conducted several clinics and treated over 80 persons. They will be monitored by the local doctors, and be scheduled for follow-up checks when the team makes its next visit in May.The team also conducted six CMEs which covered topics such as Surgical Management of Burns and Wound Management.The doctors made a donation of equipment valued at $10M to the Burn Care Unit. These included operating room tables, hydrotherapy tub, cardio machines and monitors, and anaesthesia machines.The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is currently working with the team on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will seek to formalize and cement the working relationship.The doctors,China Jerseys Cheap, who are members of the Canadian Reconstructive Surgery Foundation, work at the Scarborough Hospital in Ontario, and are affiliated to the University of Toronto and Mc Master University.
