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.
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