I have just returned from the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschappelle, Haiti where I went with my orthopaedic PA, and another Orthopaedic surgeon from Miami, Cesar Ceballos following the earthquake. This is just a little updated info for you and any other FOS members who might wish to become involved.
The vast majority of surgical cases are Orthopaedic. The biggest orthopaedic equipment need there (and likely at other hospitals) beyond surgeons, is for simple ex-fixs (4 pins, 1 bar, 4 clamps), plates and screws of all kinds, and antibiotics. Femoral rods and insertion equipment are sorely needed. All we had for patients’ pain medication was IV Diclofenac. Our power drills were actually reamers, drills were rapidly dulled etc. We had to improvise constantly, even using shoe covers as surgical caps when we ran out!
There are many long bone closed fractures still to fix as they were less urgent than the open ones. Heck, some of the open fractures were not even debrided until after 5 or 6 days etc. Hence, there are many wounds and fractures to re-debride and stabilize and there will be many more amputations. We might have had a lot of trouble getting there and then back out, but the travel process is supposedly much easier now. With this hospital out of the damage zone, an individual surgeon can be transported there and be housed and fed on the campus in a safe environment well out of town. In the city, the best bet is with a large group that is well established on the ground or going with a group.
The immediate thing I suggest we ALL do is look through out offices and garages for explanted hardware, fixators, even expired meds or supplies—they’ll be happy to use them instead of nothing. Used Camwalkers, hinged braces, crutches, etc as well. The AAOS website has nearby sites to ship or drop off implants etc.
Overall, it was an eye-opening and educational experience though I wish I had been able do more and stay longer.
I’d be happy to speak to anyone who wants more info.
Kevin Shrock, M.D.
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