LAHORE, Nov 7: Plastic surgeons are busy doing the job of “limbs salvage” to minimize chances of amputation and disability among quake victims. The plastic surgeons who have set up their camp at the Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, have operated upon 112 patients during the last 10 days.

At the military hospital alone, some 300 patients are waiting for treatment by plastic surgeons to save their limbs.

Pakistan Association of Plastic Surgeons (PAPS) general secretary Dr Moazzam Nazeer Tarar said the earthquake had caused too many injuries, including 90 per cent fractures. Of these, some two third were open fractures — skin/muscles/tissues covering the bones badly ruptured.

In case of open fractures, Dr Tarar said, the risk of infection or non-healing was too high. “The chances of recovery are marginalized in case of extensive loss of skin and soft tissues resulting in the exposure of bone. But the procedure of limbs salvage helps heal the wound and protect limbs,” he said.

As most of the quake survivors had open wounds, they were at high risk of infections, Dr Tarar said, adding that more and more reconstructive surgeries were needed to be done to minimize amputations, deformities and disabilities.

Answering a question, he said that some 10,000 to 15,000 victims were in need of reconstructive surgery. He said the plastic surgeons also had a role in re-fashioning of stumps of amputations done haphazardly. The re-fashioning of stumps would facilitate the fixing of artificial limbs.

In view of heavy load, Dr Tarar said the PAPS expected to work for some six to nine months in the devastated areas.

On the call of army, Dr Tarar said the PAPS established its camp at the Pindi MH and conducted 112 operations essentially to save limbs before Eid. He said the plastic surgeons had taken along all necessary equipment and disposables. “We have already collected a stock of disposables for the next two months,” he said.

He said PAPS president Prof A Hameed from Shaikh Zayed Hospital had accompanied the surgeons’ team. Similarly, Dr Shahab Ghani from Karachi had served at Abbotabad in collaboration with the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association for two weeks while Dr Mazhar Nizam worked at a field hospital near Abbotabad, set up by Patel Hospital, Karachi.

After Eid, he said, another team of plastic surgeons had gone to the MH whose members would also visit field hospitals and educate victims on plastic surgery services.

As more and more patients required plastic surgery, Dr Tarar said federal health minister Naseer Khan had asked PAPS to provide services at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi General Hospital and in Abbotabad.

After coordinating with all plastic surgeons in the country, he said the PAPS was preparing a duty roster so that each and every member of the association contributed.

He said the PAPS’ next strategy would be to establish plastic surgery centres in field hospitals. Those needing specialized services would be brought to Lahore and Karachi.

Meanwhile, the PAPS has appealed to the British Association of Plastic Surgeons to send volunteers who could help in limbs salvage. —- MANSOOR MALIK