By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a remarkable display of medical expertise, the 25th batch of the Chinese Medical Team (CMT) at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital successfully treated a 27-year-old patient from Sierra Leone suffering from a humeral shaft nonunion.
The patient, who had sustained a comminuted fracture of the left humerus seven months prior, had developed nonunion and pseudoarticulation due to improper treatment. This condition had caused prolonged pain and significant functional limitations in the patient’s left upper limb.
Associate Professor Xiang Liang, a seasoned orthopedist with CMT, thoroughly examined the patient’s medical history. He explained that surgery was the only viable option for treating the nonunion, despite its high risks. The potential for damage to the radial nerve during surgery posed a serious challenge, as it could lead to severe consequences such as the inability to extend the wrist and fingers.
Despite the risks, the patient expressed a strong desire for surgery, placing full trust in the expertise of the Chinese doctors. Recognizing the patient’s youth and the impact of the injury on his future prospects, Dr. Xiang and Dr. Wang Hui, also from CMT, collaborated closely with the surgical team at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital to meticulously plan and execute the procedure.
The surgery involved open reduction, internal fixation of the humerus fracture and a bone graft. The team executed each step with precision, from selecting the surgical approach to achieving intraoperative reduction and plate fixation. Their concerted efforts culminated in a successful operation, with no complications such as nerve damage and a restored function of the patient’s left upper limb.
Following the surgery, the patient expressed profound gratitude to the Chinese doctors for their role in his recovery. He credited them with restoring not only his health but also his hope for a brighter future.
