A 73-year-old woman recently benefitted from a successful total hip replacement – right hip joint surgery performed by doctors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the first of its kind, according to a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI).
“With meticulous planning and adherence to preoperative protocols, the surgery proceeded seamlessly, resulting in the patient’s early mobilization and discharge,” the release said.
It was also disclosed that following the success of the initial procedure, the hospital did a second surgery on April 2, led by Dr Kaalesh Ramcharran, with guidance from Dr Chao Zhou and assistance from Dr Ranvir Gajraj. This second instance of a total hip replacement using the Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) in Guyana further cements the GPHC’s commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care, the DPI said.
According to the release, on March 26, the hospital introduced the DAA to the hip in the lateral position for total hip replacement surgery. The approach was made possible through the expertise of visiting Orthopaedic/Arthroplasty surgeon Dr Chao Zhou, from the Chinese Medical Brigade.
The release shared that traditionally, total hip replacement surgeries at GPHC have been performed via the anterior-lateral approach. However, the recent introduction of the DAA marked a significant milestone as it became the first of its kind performed in Guyana. Dr Zhou led the surgical team, assisted by Dr Kaalesh Ramcharran and Dr Randolph Tulsie, in executing this historic procedure.
Further, the DPI stated that the DAA offers several advantages over conventional methods, including smaller surgical incisions, preservation of muscles without the need for repair, faster recovery times, and reduced postoperative pain. While this technique is commonplace in developed countries, its implementation at GPHC required no specialized operating tables, X-ray machines, or instruments, yet achieved comparable outcomes.
The DPI also shared that in preparation for the introduction of this technique, the Chinese Medical Brigade hosted a seminar on minimally invasive surgeries in Orthopaedics on March 27. This educational session, the release said, provided valuable insights into the benefits and techniques of the DAA, paving the way for its widespread adoption at GPHC and beyond.
According to the release Dr Ramcharran expressed gratitude for the opportunity to implement the technique, emphasising its potential to revolutionize total hip replacement surgeries at GPHC. The Orthopaedics Department plans to extend training in the DAA to other surgeons and to conduct similar surgeries at regional hospitals in the future.
