Der Unfallchirurg
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The confusingly structured and in many areas corrupt health system in Peru even today provides only a fragmentary and insufficient medical treatment especially for the indigenous population (mainly Quechua Indians). Since October 2007 the Diospi Suyana missionary hospital in Curahuasi (State of Apurímac) has provided an affordable medical treatment at a high level mainly for these indigenous people of Peru; however, so far the hospital could only insufficiently meet the traumatological needs of the region. ⋯ Some patients, for example only present at the hospital after the fractures have already incorrectly healed, sometimes many weeks or even months after the trauma either due to a long journey through the country to different hospitals where treatment was not possible or they could not pay for the treatment and sometimes because of inadequate prior treatment, for example by traditional healers. Cultural and infrastructural particularities of the country must be included in the process of choosing the right method of treatment.
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Review Practice Guideline
[Orthopedic surgery with limited resources after mass disasters and during armed conflicts : First international guidelines for the management of limb injuries and the experience of Doctors Without Borders].
Disasters and armed conflicts are often the unfortunate basis for aid projects run by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The nature of war and disasters means that surgery is an integral part of this medical emergency aid. In these situations, resources are usually limited. ⋯ The Field Guide to Manage Limb Injury in Disaster and Conflict has been written to help new surgeons who may face the challenges of disaster and war surgery and to avoid unnecessary suffering for patients ( https://icrc.aoeducation.org ). Under the guidance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with participation of the World Health Organization (WHO), financed by the AO Foundation, and featuring the experiences of experts from different organizations (amongst them MSF), the book details techniques and guidelines for surgery in low resource settings. The following article provides a short summary of some of the surgical challenges when working with limited resources and reflects on a few specific recommendations for so-called war surgery.
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Nepal is one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. Thus, medical care in Nepal is dependent on significant medical and financial commitment from within and outside the country. Dhulikhel Hospital - Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUH) was founded in 1996 by Prof. ⋯ The structures in DH-KUH are influenced by a very close cooperation with a number of international (university) hospitals. Most of the DH-KUH departments have an amazingly high technical standard. Assuming this development and progress can be continued, a splendid future for DH-KUH can be predicted.
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Comparative Study
[Simultaneous surgical treatment of the long head of the biceps tendon during operative treatment of proximal humeral fractures].
Pathologic conditions of the long biceps tendon can be found within treatment of proximal humeral fractures or as a source of pain after surgery. However, simultaneous surgical treatment at the index surgical intervention is so far not well established. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of a simultaneous biceps treatment during plate osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures. ⋯ The simultaneous surgical treatment of the LHB during plate osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures shows good clinical and cosmetic results. In a preselected patient population (cosmetic and functional demand) the kind of treatment (LHB tenotomy or LHB tenodesis) is indifferent.
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The small developing countries in the Pacific are grouped together as Small Island Development States (SIDS) because they face similar problems which they cannot cope with nationally. They are developing countries, so-called low and lower middle income countries (LMIC), are economically weak and the islands of the different nations are widely scattered. Approximately 80% of the 10 million inhabitants live in rural regions. ⋯ The AOAF is an independent organization with the only aim to enhance trauma surgery capacity in LMICs. The AOAF supports the PIOA program together with the Wyss Medical Foundation. Currently, 18 trainees from 8 Pacific SIDS are participating in the PIOA training program.