CU Hand Surgery Expert Enhances Surgical Training in Tanzania

Dr. Mark Greyson from CU Medical Center trained local surgeons in Tanzania, focusing on advanced plastic surgery techniques. Accompanied by Dr. Caleb Barnhill, they provided valuable training and equipment to improve surgical capabilities. Their efforts aim to enhance care for complex injuries and create a sustainable model for ongoing surgical education in the region.

Mark Greyson, MD, an assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Colorado, recently traveled to Tanzania. His visit to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in November focused on training local plastic surgeons in advanced surgical techniques. This trip was supported by a grant from the American Association for Hand Surgery, aimed at enhancing medical care in Tanzania.

This venture was a continuation of Dr. Greyson’s previous experience in Tanzania during his medical training back in 2012. “It was kind of a fact-finding mission,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of understanding the local surgical workflows and identifying their needs. The goal was to facilitate better surgical approaches and outcomes for complex cases in the region.

Accompanied by Caleb Barnhill, MD, the chief resident in plastic surgery, the pair sought to provide essential training and equipment to enhance surgical capabilities. Dr. Greyson remarked on the scarcity of resources for treating complex fractures in Tanzania, stating, “There’s hardly anyone in Tanzania… able to take care of people with complex fractures with associated open wounds.”

During their visit, Greyson and Barnhill aided a Tanzanian chief resident interested in learning microsurgical procedures. They conducted multiple cadaver labs aimed at advancing the skills of local residents. Furthermore, they introduced necessary equipment, including Doppler probes, to facilitate better surgical practices, to which Greyson commented, “I wanted to show their local surgeons how to use the Dopplers to help do reconstructive plastic surgery.”

Recognizing additional training and equipment deficiencies, Greyson is collaborating with peers to fulfill these needs. He aspires to make this trip an annual occurrence, fostering a relationship that will allow Tanzanian surgeons to improve their surgical techniques and serve their patients more effectively. He expressed his hopes for this initiative, stating, “I hope that visiting Tanzania regularly is going to inspire them to do more surgeries…”

Dr. Mark Greyson’s initiative in Tanzania illustrates a crucial effort to enhance surgical skills and medical capabilities in underserved regions. By providing training and essential equipment, he aims to elevate the standard of care for complex surgical cases. This ongoing relationship seeks to inspire local surgeons and contribute to the growth of international surgery practices. Regular visits could ensure sustainable improvement in surgical outcomes for patients in Tanzania.

Original Source: news.cuanschutz.edu