Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Busy Day

Today I got into the OR for the first time, helping the neurosurgeons with an anterior exposure of L1 vertebral burst fracture as a result of an IED explosion. Another guy in the same vehicle has a very large open wound in his calf which required ligation of the anterior tibial artery and ext fixation of a complex tib fib fx. Later tonight there reportedly is a soldier with a popliteal artery injury with a temporary intraarterial shunt still in place - apparently these injuries are usually repaired downrange so I'm not sure why he's coming here first. We'll have to operate on him tonight.

I'm really impressed with the skill of the surgeons and staff. They are extremely compassionate towards the soldiers and their families. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it is good for an aging, somewhat jaded American vascular surgeon to have the opportunity to work in this environment.

I've attached some photos that I took yesterday. Photography is discouraged on the base, so I took a couple of hospital pics from outside the gate after a run. The hospital is on top of the steep hill in the background of the town photo. My room is on the 1st floor of the tan building - 5 windows! It is very nice, and you can see that it's been remodeled on the inside.
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5 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 16, 2009 at 10:15 AM

    Hey there!! Sounds like you are going to have a busy day. So are you going to come back a changed man?? We like having you around even if you are an aging, jaded american surgeon...LOL! We can't see the pictures, should they just pop up?

    Camille!

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  2. UnknownSeptember 16, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    Wow, sounds like much more exciting times than here at PRMCE. Continue to keep us updated, I enjoy reading about your days in germany

    Lyn

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  3. UnknownSeptember 16, 2009 at 4:01 PM

    Hey! Sounds like you've been busy and have had some interesting cases...much more exciting than it has been here! I don't see the pics, though. Hope you're doing well!

    Jackie

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  4. UnknownSeptember 18, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    Hey Jay, The pictures did come up. Its nice to have a visual of where you are for reference. I hope you get to travel a bit and see more of the country. Love ya! Chris

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  5. JessicaSeptember 19, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    Hi Jay, we really miss you here in the ccu-no good hugs! We are so proud of you. love, Mary Ann and the entire ccu crew.

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