BISSAU, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The 21st Chinese medical team in Guinea-Bissau has successfully performed a surgery for a complex open trimalleolar ankle fracture.
The operation was carried out recently at the China-Guinea-Bissau Friendship Hospital on 45-year-old Sano Braima, who had suffered a severe open ankle fracture, joint instability, infection and soft-tissue damage, according to the Chinese medical team.
Chen Mingcan, a Chinese orthopedic surgeon and the lead doctor for the operation, said the Chinese team worked closely with local medical staff to assess the case and refine the surgical plan before proceeding with the operation. After about three hours of surgery, they completed fracture reduction and internal fixation, stabilized the injured joint and treated the infected wound and soft-tissue defect.
Meanwhile, Chinese doctors also provided on-site training to local medical staff during the procedure, explaining key steps in standardized trauma treatment and joint repair.
Felix Mandjam Sambu, a local chief surgeon who participated in the operation, said the procedure introduced a new method of internal fixation for open fractures complicated by ankle dislocation.
"Especially in a case involving wound infection, the Chinese surgeon's use of bone cement after debridement gave us a new understanding of how to manage complex trauma," he said. "The patient's wound is recovering well at present. We have learned valuable experience from this operation and are very grateful for Dr. Chen's guidance."
Post-operative examination showed good fracture reduction and stable fixation, the Chinese team said.
Braima also expressed satisfaction with the treatment. "I thank the surgical team, especially the Chinese doctors. I am very satisfied with the treatment I received," he said.
China has been sending medical teams to Guinea-Bissau since 1976. The current 21st batch comprises 18 members, specializing in orthopedics, internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, traditional Chinese medicine, laboratory testing, imaging and ultrasound. ■
