Major Theater

I should give Dr. S a huge thank you – I got an opportunity to start an iv line because of her and draw blood.  Next timeI shall learn how to place a catheter prior to surgery…but I’m again jumping ahead in my story.

Major Theater occurs Monday – Thursday and includes all varieties of surgeries including: excisions, enucleations, open and closed reductions, etc.  Surgeries often run anywhere from 1-4 hours and are nothing short of eye opening.  Of course, this requires you (the student) to be very comfortable around all sorts of bodily excrements.  Upon entering the building you are expected to sign in, change into ‘’sterile scrubs’’ that are provided, and change into the operatory shoes provided to you.  Once in, you scrub in, and assist during surgery by using the suction or gauze. 

Instead of describing the surgery, I would like to discuss some of the similarities and differences between here and home.  Here, most dentistry/surgeries are 80% covered by the government.  However, certain materials such as plates and screws are bought BY the patient.  While titanium plates may cost no more than $1600, patients here cannot afford such ‘frivolities,’ so surgeons make do with just wires. 

For instance, a 25 year old female patient came in with Ameloblastoma requiring resection from angle to angle of the mandible.  Ideally, this lady should have had complete mandibular resection, and restoration with plates. However, plates are not a luxury she can afford.  To me, this was one of the saddest truths about Tanzania I learned.  I hope for next year, we can do a fund raiser prior to entering the country –so even if only one patient gains functionality from the contribution, it’s worth it.