Over the course of two weeks our group of surgeons, residents and research fellows will engage with local surgeons and patients to manage complex craniofacial, oncologic, and traumatic surgical defects. We have days of high volume clinics arranged so that we can see as many patients as possible and provide the best possible care. Following our clinic days we will have 10 operative days focusing on the most complex reconstructive cases, in collaboration with local surgeons and trainees. I hope to be able to not just assist with surgeries, but also provide any relevant surgical education and experience.
The broad patient population of Vietnam, as many patients travel from hours/days away to attend these clinics. The population of patients that will be served includes all ages, those with complex wounds, functional or craniofacial differences. This population was selected because of the need.
The expected impact will hopefully be not just the optimal surgical care for patients with complex reconstructive issues, but also the collaboration and education of local surgeons and learners. I hope our group is able to learn from them as well. I hope to take my learning from the surgical cases in a place with resources different from my home institution.
We traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam to work with the Plastic & Reconstructive surgeons and multiple local hospitals to improve knowledge and technical skills related to breast and lymphatic reconstruction. We were able to assess, triage, and workup a number of patient with complex lymphatic presentations. We were able to select a few appropriate patients while there that would benefit from autologous breast reconstruction with simultaneous vascularized lymph node transfer. We were able to discuss these cases and share technical insights with the local surgeons on how these cases can be accomplished in an efficient way.
