Off to Cuenca

On Friday,Marc Moreau, myself and Luis Piedrahita flew off to Cuenca to offer a SIGN nail system to the orthopedic surgeons of the Vicente Corral Moscoso. These surgeons are responsible for trauma in a large area around Cuenca. They get about 10 long bone fractures a month. And long bone fractures are best treated with an intramedullary nailing system. Check out www.sign-post.org and you can find out more.

First we met with the Chief Administrator of the hospital. He was quite receptive since he wants to see the hospital increase it´s capability. He is also quite a strong man — we think that he will be sure to have his orthopedic surgeons meet our requirements for success with the SIGN nail system we offered them.

After reaching some agreement we showed the surgeons the system. Their pupils were large — they are quite excited about the opportunity to deliver state of the art care to their patients.If you don´t have an IM nail in the big bone of your upper leg when it´s broken, the only alternative is traction in bed for six or even eight weeks! That´s no fun and it´s not great for the patient because complications can ensue.

We counted all the parts and pieces and then wrote up a contract. They have promised to upload x'rays and patient stories onto the SIGN website every time they use a nail.

Having had lunch with Dr. Telmo Tapan, we headed into town for a little time before our flight. Here´s the beautiful cathedral in Cuenca. It´s been restored and it is simply magnificent inside and out.

OOps the pictures aren´t in the right order!Here are the SIGN nails. They come in multiple lengths and diameters. The surgeons check the x´rays and then select a range of nails that might fit. During surgery they can make the final decision before driving the nail through the marrow canal to bring the fracture into reduction. Then the nail is locked with two screws. The patient can go home the next day.

We scrubbed in the OR. Here´s a shot of Marc in very well fitting set of scrubs!

Now it´s back into town again. Here´s a shot of the river that runs through Cuenca. It really is a beautiful city filled with narrow streets lined by Spanish architecture. Flowers grow from balconies.

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