At Haitian Hospital, Tough Choices For Docs, Patients
NPR.org

NPR wrote an article that illustrates the difficulties in Haiti that can occur while in the operating room and those that happen outside, and how they play a role in successfully helping a patient.

Orthopedic surgeon Christopher Born prepared to stabilize Bazile's legs using something called an external fixator. It's done sometimes to stabilize a bad fracture for a few days or weeks until an internal metal rod can be inserted.

Born and colleague James Kreig began the surgery by making small incisions.

"We're going to have two sets of pins — one above the fracture and one below — and a system of clamps and bars that go between the pins," Born said. "We'll try to align the fracture."

At the end of the 45-minute procedure, Bazile had what looked like scaffolding on each leg, held by pins going through her legs into her bones. Born said the surgery went well.

To view the full article on NPR.org click here.