One of the unfortunate realities we face is that we live in a world inundated with violence. As a result, there is a serious need for reconstructive surgery for wounds. Surgeons are doing great things all across the world, providing these procedures. For example, the International Committee of the Red Cross puts the spotlight on Lebanon in a recent article titled “Lebanon: Reconstructive surgery for weapon-wounded.”
The author of the article writes, “The ICRC typically deals with fresh weapon-wounded cases. The two operations we performed today, while not unique in themselves, since they are routinely done in many countries, are nonetheless unique for the ICRC. That is to say that this is the first time we have surgically treated old injuries that had serious complications. We are able to do that now because of our access to technologies heretofore inaccessible to us… At present, we have about 20 patients. Most of them suffer from chronic wound-induced complications, sometimes as a result of improper treatment at the very beginning. There is, for example, the case of an elderly woman who was injured three years ago in Syria and was unsuccessfully treated there. Yesterday, as another example, we received a nine-year-old Syrian girl who had been hit by a stray bullet two weeks ago near the Lebanese-Syrian border. Most of our patients are Syrians. But we also have two Lebanese patients, who were injured during last year’s clashes in Tripoli, as well as one Palestinian patient.”
Meanwhile, the Nottingham Post highlights wound care efforts in Haiti in a recent article titled “Nottingham plastic surgeon goes to Haiti to help the vulnerable.” Jemma Page of the Nottingham Post writes, “The hospital – which has three operating theatres, a 10-bed intensive care unit and 120 trauma beds – deals with a lot of patients who have gunshot wounds and injuries from road traffic accidents. Mr Brooks, who is a member of the British Burns Association, said: ‘The hospital is remarkably good – it’s one of the most sophisticated MSF hospitals in the world. The national staff are very competent and the hospital is capable of delivering care to people who are seriously injured.’”
Of course, you don’t have to be in another country to find yourself in the unfortunate position of needing reconstructive surgery for a wound or wounds. When it comes to wound care, you need a trusted surgeon.
Rex E. Moulton-Barrett, M.D. is internationally known and acknowledged. He is board certified with The American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and The American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Moulton-Barrett offers a number of wound care options including surgeries, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, bioengineered skin substitutes, specialized wound-specific dressings, and dietary and nutrition consultations.
If you or a loved one needs wound care, contact us for a consultation.