A second vendor immediately responded exuberantly to my request
for material support. The head of sales for his company paid a goodwill
visit to my OR lounge in order to more fully understand my needs. In a
matter of days, I was the proud recipient of 2 large boxes brimming with
rotator cuff and glenoid anchors, suture retrievers and suture passers.
I also smuggled several suture passers in my checked bag. These
delicate and disposable shoulder instruments helped save the day dur-
ing the execution of the 2 live surgeries.
Faith in humankind
In addition to delivering lectures, I was asked to perform 2 live arthro-
scopic shoulder surgeries in order to fully convey to my audience the
newest techniques in rotator cuff and instability surgery. OR condi-
tions in Nicaragua were challenging, to put it mildly: no traction appa-
ratus, a cracked camera lens, a non-English speaking scrub nurse and
implants that had the structural strength of seaweed. But thanks to
the heroic gestures of my treasured staff and sales comrades, the sur-
geries culminated in successful outcomes and 2 people received care
that was otherwise unavailable.
Every time I travel abroad and experience other surgical cultures, I
have a renewed sense of thanksgiving. The inherent goodness in all of us
is often manifested most profoundly when we all unite for a common
goal. Most of us are drawn to a vocation in health care because we sim-
ply enjoy the act of serving one another by promoting healing. Service
trips provide the opportunity to serve like no other venue. Sharing
resources with those less fortunate generates feelings of fulfillment and
satisfaction that predictably exceed the rewards of caring for those more
privileged.
OSM
Dr. Kelly (johndak4@gmail.com) is an orthopedic surgeon/sports-shoulder
specialist who practices in Philadelphia, Pa.
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Cutting Remarks
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