July 27, 2010
School of Medicine, Kochi
Doctors at the Amrita Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery have been busy.
From June 28 to July 8, they conducted the annual micro-vascular and head and neck reconstruction workshop. The workshop had two batches of 15 delegates each, who received intensive hands-on training in micro-vascular surgery in animals.
“Surgery on very small blood vessels is referred to as micro-vascular surgery,” explained Dr. Subramania Iyer, HoD, Department of Reconstructive Surgery, who led the workshop.
Dr. Iyer was joined by Dr. Jimmy Mathew, Associate Professor, in the same department in conducting workshop sessions.
Conducted using an operating-room microscope, with specialized instruments and tiny needles with ultrafine sutures, microvascular surgery is used to reattach severed fingers, hands, arms, and another amputated parts of the body.
The small blood vessels are reconnected and blood circulation is restored, before the tissue can die. Microvascular surgery is also used for reconstructive surgery.
“We conducted training sessions in the specially built surgical skill laboratory in the animal house area,” informed Dr. Iyer.
Delegates also had the opportunity to view live micro-vascular surgical operations on patients.
During July 3-4, the department conducted its annual course on reconstructive surgery. About 36 trainees from all over the country participated in the two-day hands-on course.
Led again by Dr. Subramania Iyer, the course was also taught by Dr. Mohit Sharma, Dr. Kishore and Dr. Jimmy Mathew of the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Sachin Chavre coordinated the proceedings.
The course was inaugurated by Dr. Praveen Lal, Principal, Government Medical College. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the path-breaking nature of the course.
“This course has shown that public-private participation is possible in medical education,” he stated. “This course is an example to be emulated.”
Conducted every year by Amrita, the course is delivered in association with the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Trichur.
“This is a unique and one-of-a-kind course conducted in the state of Kerala,” stated Dr. Subramania. “It has been appreciated by all.”
