As we approach the end of week two, joint camp has finished up, and we are back in the operating room. In general, we have all found our sea legs so to speak, and our feeling more comfortable in our surroundings. In the past couple of days, we’ve been able to fix two proximal femur fractures as well as take on two significantly infected legs. The team was able to place an antibiotic rod in an infected tibia. This combination of bone support and antibiotics will hopefully allow the bone to heal and eradicate the infection.
We also encountered a deep infection of a distal femur fracture that was aggressively cleaned and washed. This infection was quite severe and we are worried the patient will come to an amputation. Hopefully, the surgical intervention will change this course.
Jennifer has been busy with Operationsoap.org and implementing its mission. We are very excited that SOAP sponsored its first spine case today. Dr. Patt and Dr. Ani have just gone into the OR for fixation of a C6 fracture with jumped facets at C5/6. Dr. Ani has been doggedly persistent in his efforts to get this case going by navigating various hurdles from an economic and healthcare standpoint. I anxiously await to hear about the outcome.
I’m also pleased to note that our persistent efforts over the years have been noticed by the hospital administration. We were invited to meet the director of surgical services and the executive director of the hospital. These were very cordial conversations but eventually focused on KCMC’s desire to have a formal memo of understanding with our volunteer team. We are excited to formally discuss the future of continued education and collaboration.
The weekend is upon us. As is often the case, Saturday may be a very busy day in the Operating Room. Currently, the list includes two broken ankles, one pediatric forearm fracture, and one comminuted distal wrist fracture. It would be exciting if we are able to get all that done tomorrow.
Sunday, we hope, will be a day of rest and adventure outside of the hospital. One of the local residents is involved in a very strong church choir. They are having an album release party on Sunday and we have been invited to attend. We are all looking forward to this. Afterwards, we hope to return to, a waterfall and coffee farm tour.
Finally, the changing weeks brings transition to the team. Dr. Patt and his daughter will be journeying home and we will be joined by Dr. Halvorson, orthopedic trauma from Wake Forest. As always, we are excited to represent hvousa.org