So that patients do not have to travel far for joint replacement

In order for local patients to have access to modern joint replacement techniques at reasonable costs, without having to go to large centers for surgery, saving time and money, Phu Yen General Hospital has invited leading experts to update new knowledge, share experiences, and improve the professional capacity of the team of trauma surgeons - orthopedics.

A knee replacement surgery was performed at Phu Yen General Hospital. Photo: HO HOANG VU

Recently, Dr. Nguyen Cao Vien - one of the leading experts in the field of microsurgery and joint replacement surgery in Vietnam, Deputy Head of the Department of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery, Head of the Microsurgery Unit of People's Hospital 115 - came to Phu Yen General Hospital to transfer knee replacement techniques and report on 2 topics: Some issues on knee replacement surgery and Application of arthroscopy in orthopedics at the hospital's regular professional meeting.

Phu Yen Newspaper discussed with Dr. Nguyen Cao Vien about technology transfer in the field of trauma surgery - orthopedics.

BSCKII Nguyen Cao Vien

* Through practical work, can you tell us what Phu Yen General Hospital needs to do to make trauma surgery and orthopedics one of the unit's strengths?

- Regarding facilities and equipment, Phu Yen General Hospital has enough. The hospital has tools to support surgery to treat trauma and micro-plastic surgery, such as microscopes, C-arms, orthopedic tables, etc. Human resources - an important factor - are also enough compared to the general level of provincial general hospitals. Traumatology and orthopedic surgeons at Phu Yen General Hospital have successfully implemented hip replacement techniques, restoring walking function to patients.

The purpose of this transfer activity is to supplement and update new knowledge and techniques that are being applied in the world to improve the effectiveness of surgical treatment. Patients have access to advanced techniques in the field of trauma surgery - orthopedics right in their locality, especially those in difficult circumstances, lonely, and unable to go to large centers for treatment.

* What about plastic surgery, doctor?

- Plastic microsurgery is a very good and very broad field. This surgical field plays a very important role in restoring damaged body parts due to trauma, trauma, cancer and congenital malformations, and restoring function to patients. In this field, not only Phu Yen General Hospital but also many other provincial hospitals are facing difficulties, because it takes a lot of time to train a plastic microsurgeon. And working in this field requires more sacrifice. For example, just finished work, preparing to go home, there is a case of severed arm/leg due to an accident and brought to the emergency room. So the microsurgeon returns to the operating room to perform emergency surgery, helping the patient to keep the limb, if that doctor has not yet trained a team to accompany him. In the case of no microsurgeon and having to transfer the patient from a distant province to Ho Chi Minh City, it is almost impossible to save the patient's arm/leg, because the distance is too far and the golden time has passed.

Orthopedic surgeons at Phu Yen General Hospital have successfully implemented hip replacement techniques, restoring walking function to patients. The purpose of this transfer activity is to supplement and update new knowledge and techniques that are being applied in the world to improve the effectiveness of surgical treatment.

BSCKII Nguyen Cao Vien, Deputy Head of Department of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery,

Head of Plastic Surgery Unit, People's Hospital 115

Therefore, implementing microsurgery right at provincial hospitals is highly humane, handling emergency cases promptly, helping patients keep their limbs, and restoring their functions. I understand that the Board of Directors of Phu Yen General Hospital has a policy of inviting experts to help the team of doctors here be more confident when performing surgeries to reattach severed limbs. As for surgery to treat sequelae, training will be provided and gradually such a team will be available.

* What is the significance of multidisciplinary coordination in the field of trauma surgery and orthopedics, doctor?

- There needs to be a harmonious coordination between the orthopedic surgeon and doctors in many specialties for the treatment to achieve the desired results. In particular, post-operative rehabilitation is extremely important. A patient who has surgery but does not undergo rehabilitation will recover less than those who have received proper and complete rehabilitation. The doctor must explain to the patient the situation before, during and after surgery, including the importance of rehabilitation.

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/suc-khoe/202506/de-nguoi-benh-khong-phai-di-xa-thay-khop-fff195d/