Prof. Dung Nguyen (middle) exchanged expertise in a plastic-cosmetic surgery at International Medical Center of Hue Central Hospital
Could you talk about the reasons for choosing Hue to participate in these volunteer trips, Professor?
Where I am working - Stanford University, School of Medicine has implemented many cooperation programs in many parts of the world, including a long-term cooperation with Hue Central Hospital through the connection of Dr. Le Thua Trung Hau, who had spent some time studying at Stanford University, School of Medicine. I have noticed that the Department of Plastic-Cosmetic Surgery, International Medical Center of Hue Central Hospital is the center which has regular cooperation with international experts to exchange expertise, to update new techniques, at the same time, they also focus on training and providing professional orientation for young doctors. In 2014, the medical team of Stanford University (US) and I visited and worked in Thua Thien Hue and Hue Central Hospital for the first time, I was impressed by the hospitality and friendliness of my colleagues here; so, I would like to do some meaningful things for Hue Central Hospital.
So, you have been to Hue for several times, haven’t you, Professor?
That’s right. The first time was in 2014, we coordinated with Hue Central Hospital to organize continuous training courses on Plastic-Cosmetic surgery to update and transfer new techniques to doctors in Hue and the whole country on micro-surgical techniques in plastic surgery; breast reconstruction surgery after cancer and treatment of lymphatic edema by microsurgery; full body plastic surgery; cosmetic surgery in the nose area.
What are the main activities in this trip, Professor?
On this occasion, I and Prof. Joshua Korman and two doctors Danielle Rochlin and Paul Mittermiller (Stanford-US) coordinate with the Direction of Healthcare Activities and Training Center, Hue Central Hospital to organize training courses as well as to transfer the latest techniques on plastic-cosmetic surgery at the International Medical Center of Hue Central Hospital for nearly 30 doctors, not only from Thua Thien Hue but also from provinces and cities throughout the country, for nearly 1 week. The content of the training course is carried out in 2 ways, exchanging theories and clinical practice as well as the demonstration with surgeries for nearly 20 patients, so that colleagues can approach to and update new techniques correctly to perform after leaving the course.
Could you please elaborate on that?
A lot of techniques in plastic-cosmetic surgery have been successfully implemented on this occasion, such as breast augmentation using endoscopy equipment; Dermofat grafting for nasal dorsum augmentation harvesting from the buttocks below the coccyx; fat repositioning in lower blepharoplasty; combining surgical treatment for acquired ptosis with removal of excessive skin and fat of eyelids. These techniques will become routine services so that people can access easily without having to spend much money as they do when going abroad seeking for treatment.
How do you feel about the technical facilities as well as the medical staff and doctors in Hue Central Hospital, Professor?
In recent years, Hue Central Hospital has changed dramatically. They have invested in the infrastructure and facilities more comprehensively in comparison with the first time I came in 2014, meeting the needs of treatment and deployment of new techniques, especially in the field of high-tech plastic-cosmetic surgery. The colleagues here are sympathetic and kind, not only to us but also to their patients. Through the course, doctors in Hue Central Hospital approached new techniques very well and quickly. This is the basis for them to master the technology, deploy advanced techniques in the world more regularly in plastic-cosmetic surgery in Hue as well as in Vietnam.
Do you think that the demand for plastic-cosmetic surgery is proportional to the development of society, Professor?
When society develops, the need for beauty is necessary and very normal for people at any age. Therefore, the techniques in the field plastic-cosmetic surgery need to be developed to meet the demands of people. In other countries, plastic-cosmetic surgery is a major specialty in the society’s health activities. It is important that physicians in the field of plastic-cosmetic surgery must be properly trained and provided chances to exchange professional knowledge to meet people’s demands.
Would you come back to Hue, Professor?
Next year (2019), I will return to Hue twice in May and December. On these two occasions, I will invite 2 young doctors of Hue Central Hospital to my Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University to study more. Hopefully, in the coming time, I will be able to call on some organizations and charitable organizations to support some more equipment and machines used in the field of plastic-cosmetic surgery for International Medical Center of Hue Central Hospital; continue to coordinate the organization of continuous training courses to update, exchange and transfer advanced techniques in the field of plastic-cosmetic surgery for colleagues and young doctors in Hue.
Minh Van