Interplast surgical team experience steers

student winner in new direction

The most intense and rewarding experience on the Avant and Interplast 2015
Student Placement Program comes on day four. Ill never forget the awe and
excitement I feel when the Fijian babys lip comes together so neatly in the first
cleft lip repair I have witnessed. Im amazed that the trajectory of this childs life has
changed so dramatically problems eating, speaking and socialising have been
virtually eliminated in a two-hour procedure.
And almost as heartwarming is watching the parents meet their child postoperation its so special.

Proudly sponsored by Avant,

the Interplast Student
Placement Program, now
in its fifth year, is open to all
our student members. The
program gives one student
the opportunity to observe
Interplasts volunteer surgical
team provide free reconstructive
surgery to Asia Pacific region
patients who otherwise cannot
afford treatment.

Morgan Haines

Labasa h
ospital

Morgan Haines, 5th year student at the University of New South Wales, was chosen for the
2016 trip to Labasa Hospital in Fiji. This is her diary of her life-changing experience.

Sunday 13 March 2016

I arrive in Fiji and next morning meet the Interplast team comprising two plastic
surgeons, two anaesthetists and two nurses from around Australia. We catch a
flight to Labasa, where we are greeted by Ministry of Health representatives.
At Labasa Hospital we unpack our equipment and medicines, and set up the
operating theatres.
The Interplast team makes me feel very welcome, which really boosts my
confidence with local staff and patients.

Monday 14 March 2016

We conduct surgical ward rounds of a dozen in-patients. One woman has an
extensive lesion (thought to be neoplastic or lymphatic) in the subcutaneous
layer of one buttock, which has doubled in size. She is scheduled for surgery.
The wards are not air conditioned and only separated by partitions, which
has repercussions for infection control.

Morgan is ready for theatre

A pre-op clinic is held for another 60 or so outpatient candidates some

have travelled hundreds of kilometres. Fiji has only one plastic surgeon,
and he is based on the main island, so this visiting clinic is invaluable.
People queue patiently in the tropical heat.
A doctor examines paediatric cases, including four with cleft lips or palates.
Elsewhere, a male patient has presented with a large neck mass. A discussion
ensues on its origin and a CT scan is ordered, but does not aid diagnosis. I learn
it takes six weeks for simple pathology results that would be reported in a
matter of hours in Australia. The team decides on surgery. I find out later it was
a benign Warthins tumour and the patient has a great surgical outcome.

The Fijian nurs

ing staff make
her welcome

Tuesday 15 March 2016

This first day in the operating theatre is an amazing
experience! A total of 34 patients have been selected.
I observe the cleft lip and palate repair outlined above
and in the afternoon the anaesthetists demonstrate basic
paediatric anaesthetics.

The babys pare

nts chat with M
organ
before her surg
ery

I also witness a surgeon remove an epidermal inclusion

cyst on a nursing students foot. She says it has been very
painful and surgery will transform her quality of life.
Another surgery is on a childs hand. A burn contracture
means that, his hand has fused in a gripping position and
the finger joints have been damaged. He will require more
surgeries as he grows.
ion

Baby Grace before

...and

erat
her op
after

Wednesday 16 March 2016

Surgery begins on the patient with the buttock lesion.
First, the visible lesion and adequate margins, weighing
about two to three kilograms, are removed. Next, a local
flap from her leg is placed over the site. Finally, a partial
thickness skin graft is used over the donor site. I gain
knowledge observing basic plastic surgery techniques
as the seven-hour operation progresses. Im later told her
outcome was good.

s the
akrishnan lead
Dr Anand Ram
am
te
ical
Interplast surg

Thursday 17 March 2016

I say my goodbyes and catch my flight home. The experience has been inspirational and a real eye-opener
these surgical trips are cost-effective and have a significant impact on patient lives.
Spending time with the Interplast team has allowed me to connect with highly accomplished surgeons
and, thanks to this trip, I now have a sought-after elective plastic surgery placement at the Royal Melbourne
Hospital. Im so grateful for the entre Interplast has given me into global surgery.
Morgan Haines
2015 Avant and Interplast Placement Program recipient

The Avant student winner for this year, Morgan Haines, has once again added great value to the program.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our organisation to share with a medical student the incredible work
of changing lives, and we appreciate Avants support to make this happen. I know the volunteer team
also value passing along their knowledge and sharing their experiences in such a tangible way.
Prue Ingram
CEO, Interplast

2016 Avant and Interplast Placement Program

The 2016 Avant and Interplast Placement Program will
open for applications in July this year, closing in October.

Look out for updates

at avant.org.au/Interplast and for more information in your
Avant Student eBulletins
Find out more about Avants sponsorship programs and our partnership
with Interplast, and Interplasts initiatives around the region.