Stichting Interplast Holland

14 ZanzibarBefore and after cleft lip operationIn the end, the team operated on 83 patients, many ofwhom again had urogenital problems in which RuthLester (UK) specialises. Ed operated on the patientswith cleft lips and/or palates, post burn contracturesand tumours. There were remarkably few children withcleft lips and/or palates this time.Sharing knowledgeThe director of the hospital, Dr Jamala, and Dr Rama invitedthe team to give a presentation of the work of InterplastHolland to local staff. Both Ruth and Ed gave a lecture, Ruthspoke about the problems surrounding badly performedcircumcisions and Ed spoke about cleft lips and/or palatesand post burn contractures.The anaesthetic staff Khamis and Mgeni were impressedby Gijs’ techniques, above all the use of a local rather thana general anaesthetic, and they learned a lot.Excellent cooperationThe days were long but the team had excellent support fromthe local staff. They are becoming more and more attunedto each other. Practically everyone could be operated onthanks to the sound pre-selection by Dr Rama. The teamcarried out a total of 83 operations, though anaesthetic wasadministered 90 times in connection with dressing changes.Post burn contracture before and after surgeryOperations Zanzibar•or urethral fistula10 other•4 cleft lips and/or palates46 hypospadia (birth defect of the urethra)23 post burn contracture