Cast & Curious

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  • Third POA-AOA Mindanao Summit on March 15-16, 2013 in Davao City

    The Philippine Orthopedic Association South Mindanao Chapter is inviting every practicing orthopedic surgeons, especially those in Mindanao to the upcoming Third POA-AOA Mindanao Summit on March 15-16, 2013 at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City. Philippine Orthopedic Association (POA) is the specialty umbrella organization of Filipino orthopedic surgeons recognized by both the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS). South Mindanao Chapter is the one of the two Mindanao chapters of POA and is currently the host of this event.

    The Mindanao Summit is an biennial event, unique to the Mindanao based fellows of POA, that discusses orthopedic knowledge and updates relevant to the Mindanao community. The summit also foster camaraderie among the Mindanao based fellows of the POA. The scientific program is created by the host chapter in line with these objectives. They invite local and foreign experts to discuss on these topics. Hosting of this summit is rotated every two years to the two chapters of POA in Mindanao- the  South Mindanao and North Mindanao chapters.  The first Mindanao was  hosted by POA-South Mindanao and this year, it’s coming back to Davao City.

    The Third POA Mindanao Summit will for the first time, partner with the AOA Outreach Committee to bring in foreign faculty and experts to talk on this years topic. This year’s theme is “Locally Relevant Minimally Invasive Osteosynthesis” and the organizing committee prepared a very interesting scientific program for the benefit of the Mindanao fellows.  This year’s summit is also synchronized with the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations, giving the participants time to witness its celebrations, savor Davao’s delectable fruits, enjoy its world class beaches, golf courses and other tourists attractions.

    3rd POA-AOA Mindanao Summit Flyer/Scientific Program Front page 1
    3rd POA-AOA Mindanao Summit Flyer/Scientific Program Front page 1
    3rd POA-AOA Mindanao Summit Flyer/Scientific Program Front page 2
    3rd POA-AOA Mindanao Summit Flyer/Scientific Program Front page 2

    You can join the FB event page for the Third POA-AOA Mindanao Summit here (pls click this link) or follow updates about the summit on twitter @3orthominsummit.

  • Orthopedic Casting is an Art

    Orthopedic casting is the procedure of applying an encasement, usually made of plaster,  to hold a “reduced” fracture in place until bone healing is confirmed.

    For orthopedist, casting is a must learn skill during training. Most prolific orthopedist I knew and emulate are masters of orthopedic casting. In fact they consider “casting” as an art. The end product – fractured limb held into reduction by an encasement of either Plaster of Paris or fiberglass cast, is a reflection of the quality of the surgeon.  The cast speaks of its creator.

    A poorly applied plaster cast, with grafitis all over, the ankle plantar flexed and the cast already loose. In this picture about to be cut opened and probably be replaced.
    A poorly applied plaster cast, with grafitis all over, the ankle plantar flexed and the cast already loose. About to be cut open in this picture and probably be replaced.

    This is the main reason why mentors take great lengths training residents in the art of casting, as well as taking care of the patient with a cast. In an institution where majority of our orthopedic patients could only afford a plaster cast (Plaster of Paris, a calcined Gypsum), the residents have four years of eternity to perfect this art. Needles to say, our mentors vowed to show the “exit doors” to any resident who don’t apply cast well or those who couldn’t care patients with a casted limb. The reason?

    Patient care.

    If you can’t apply a good cast, you probably couldn’t take care of your patient as well. This two notions are interrelated and is inseparable.If you can’t advice your patient to take care of their cast well, you better not put any cast on him or her as this will probably aggravate his or her orthopedic problem.

    It’s a privilege rather, to apply a cast. Not everyone can apply a cast. Anybody who doesn’t know about cast care and complications should NOT even attempt to apply a cast.

    So if you encounter a patient with a casted limb, the status of that cast speak of its creator.  If you’re applying a cast, apply it to perfection. It’s an art. Make it look  like one.

  • Taming a Firecracker Craze Nation

    Filipinos should get rid of another culture we imbibed from colonizers – the love for the new year, firecracker bang. It is said that new years eve revelries isn’t “happy new year” without a loud, ka-boom in our backyard.

    The firecracker lighting habit, will supposedly ward off  bad “spirits” and bad luck in the coming year.  An entirely huge  business market (legit or otherwise) emerged from this  habit. This , together with our superstition,  fuel a culture of indifference that is dangerously playing with life threatening injuries.

    Legit firecrackers makers says it’s a problem with implementation of regulations, the illegal ones say they’re just “earning a living”. Department of Health noted there is a yearly reduction of firecracker injuries (17% this year) and proposes a selective ban of firecrackers. The national overnment on the other hand  let the local government impose its own “rules” on their constituents. What does the ordinary Juan dela Cruz say? 

    No (credible) survey has been made on this yet. If ever there will be, will you be for a total ban on firecrackers or selective ban? Please comment below for your answers.

    As a physician, I had my stand on this since 2009- a total ban, and I’ve said my reasons years ago in the same post. In a country where imposition of ‘selective” laws is wanting (selective logging ban, remember?), another selective law is a joke. (Ironically, some of our esteemed authorities was caught on camera squabbling to get their hands on firecrackers confiscated after their photo-ops!).

    Loss of fingers and hand functions from a firecracker (Photo by Phillip Ko)
    Loss of fingers and hand functions from a firecracker (Photo by Phillip Ko)

    From a physician and surgeon who deals with firecracker injuries every new year, even a single firecracker injury is unacceptable. It is one totally avoidable surgical condition and expense. Be realistic? Look at Davao City, who had a total firecracker ban for many years already and have zero firecracker injury case for 4 straight years. How much did the local government saved on the medical expense of treating firecracker injuries? of fires brought about by firecrackers? Of cleaning up trash? Treating bronchitis from smog of firecrackers?

    Firecracker reduction and statistics are for bureaucrats who deal with laws.  I deal with extremities, with functions and quality of life. That is obviously a minus for those who were victims of firecrackers! Thus I repeat, a single firecracker injury is unacceptable. Total ban on firecrackers should be imposed.

     

  • Healthcare Volunteers, Let’s Help Davao Oriental!

    I’m reposting this letter, a call of help for the victims of typhoon Pablo, from the Philippine Medical Association Southeastern Mindanao governor Dr. Noel Camigue

    Dear Brothers and Sisters in the profession;
    The PNRC in partnership with DOH and PMA has set up an emergency medical facility in Baganga, Davao Oriental. We are in need of Volunteer Doctors to man the station on a 48 hour alternating duties.
    Wish you could share at least 2 days from members to go on duty in the emergency health facility considering that we will be running the unit for an estimated period of 15 days to 1 month until a permanent facility will be built in the area by the local health unit.
    Attached is the detailed concept of the Program with file title RISE Mindanao.
    Attached as well are the schedule of medical missions done and those to be conducted within the week.
    Presently Dr. Remo Aguilar and his group is mapping all areas where medical missions had been conducted for us to evaluate areas covered for planning of the next medical mission to be conducted in areas that were not yet served and as well we can recommend areas to visit for those who plan to conduct medical missions. Kindly email me of all the areas your group had visited for us to upload the data you fed to the medical mission mapping.
    Thank you for your support!
    Your PMA Governor
    Dr. Noel Camique
    RISE Mindanao!!!

    These were the medical missions done in Davao oriental and those that are to be conducted.

    MULTI SECTORAL HUMANITARIAN and MEDICAL RELIEF OPERATIONS TEAM ACTIVITIES:

    Date

    Place

    Activity

    Attendance
    December 9, 2012 Comval-Monkayo TT immunization,  relief distributions 10 doctors (POGS) (Team Leader: Dr. Helen Grace Te-Santos
    Comval -Monkayo Medical Mission 12 Doctors (PCP) (Team Leader: Dr. Romulo T. Uy)
    December 10, 2012 Probinsya Restaurant First multi- sectoral meeting DMS Officers/ EMS/ Kabalikat
    December 11, 2012 Davao Oriental Organizational Mtg. and relief goods distributions 2 doctors & 8 volunteers

    (Team Leader: Dr. Ana Liza Lanuza-DMS Pres.)
    December 12, 2012 Baganga & Cateel Medical Mission DOH & Southern Phils, Med. Center Doctors
    December 13-14, 2012 Baganga

     
    • PMA Medical Team & Red Cross
    • medical mission
    		 (Team Leader: Dr. Noel Camique –PMA Governor-SEM)

    Madonna General Hospital Inc. Staff  Volunteer
    December 13, 2012 DSWD Office, Uyanguren, DC DSWD Meeting
    December 13, 2012 Baganga Medical Mission UP Pahinungod doctors
    December 14, 2012 Cateel Probinsya Medical Mission

    Gawad Kalinga Religious Group

    		 40 –PCS doctors / PAFP / PPS (Team Leader: Dr. Alfredo Tan II)
    December 15,2012 Monkayo Probinsya Medical Mission PSA  (Team Leader: Dr. Faridah Wong)
    December 15, 2012 New Bataan Medical Mission PSA/POGS/ PPS of San Pedro Hosp.
    December 15, 2012 Cateel Medical Mission 6 pedia, 2 dentist and 12 surgeons

    (Team Leader: Dr. Marselle Lozano)
    December 19, 2012 Comval Medical  Mission  PPS (Team Leader: Dr. Eleonor Du)
    December 20,-22 2012 Baganga (EHS) 48 hours duty at Emergency Health Station Team Leader: PMA Governor Dr. Noel Camique, Madonna General Hospital Inc. staff Volunteer,
    December 21, 2012 New Bataan Medical Mission PMA national disaster team and GMA kapuso
    December 22, 2012 Baganga Medical Mission PMA national Disaster team and GMA kapuso

    I know the list is by no means incomplete. If your medical team went to Davao oriental and service Pablo victims but is not listed here, feel free to comment below with the following data:

    Date(s) of Mission(s):
    Name of Organization:
    Team Leader:
    Exact Location of Medical Mission (Baranggay level):
    Approximate number of patients seen:

    Red Cross Medical Volunteers helping out Pablo victims in Bagangga davao Oriental (ICRC file photo)
    Red Cross Medical Volunteers helping out Pablo victims in Bagangga davao Oriental (ICRC file photo)

    If you are a healthcare professional (physicians, nurses, medical technologist etc) willing to volunteer your time and skills to serve Pablo victims, you may contact Red Cross Davao City, (082) 227-6650 or visit us at M. Roxas Ave., Davao City and look for Ms. Star. Orientation schedule is everyday 5:00pm at Aboitiz Room 3rd Floor Philippine Red Cross Building M. Roxas Ave., Davao City.

  • Medical help and healthcare volunteers needed for victims of Typhoon Pablo/Bopha in Davao Oriental

    Colleagues in the medical profession, if you are available to help our brothers and sisters affected by the recent typhoon, Pablo/Bopha please enlist or volunteer tru your local PMA chapter or Red Cross.

    a grieving typhoon Pablo victim in Davao Oriental being treated by a volunteer physician
    a grieving typhoon Pablo victim in Davao Oriental being treated by a volunteer physician (Photo by Leah Valle)

    Red Cross (Davao City Chapter) and PMA-Southeastern Mindanao (Philippine Medical Association) is in need of volunteer operating room nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, internists, pediatricians and emergency medicine doctors to go on a medical-surgical mission/rotations to Davao Oriental and man hospitals servicing Pablo victims.

    Volunteers may contact your local PMA chapter officers or Dr. Noel Camique (PMA-SouthEastern Mindanao governor) or Red Cross Davao City.