Breakthrough : A rare surgery of the proximal part of the humerus (Upper arm bone which joins the Shoulder and forearm) was conducted by Dr Harish Rao at People’s Hospital, Bhanpur, Bhopal.

Bhopal : A rare surgery of the proximal part of the humerus (Upper arm bone which joins the Shoulder and forearm) was conducted by Professor of Orthopedics /consultant ,Orthopedic surgeon Dr Harish Rao at People’s Hospital, Bhanpur, Bhopal.Dr Rao is working at Peoples Group from past decade and has undertaken Various eminent surgeries with success.

On 22nd of June 2016, he conducted a major surgery which was rarest of the rare as well marked a mile stone in the medical history of People’s Group. To know beyond  his experience WTN interviewed Dr Harish Rao for this breakthrough ……

Dr Rao please tell us about this surgery. Kindly tell us about the patient and this project you took and also, the simplicit design and technicalities you took for the surgery?

A 62 year old lady came to us with a four part fracture-dislocation of the proximal part of the humerus. The head of the humerus was dislocated. So, we first went in for shoulder replacement considering the fact the number of fragments involved. Had we even attempted to put the pieces together, we wouldn’t have got the desired result, nor would the patient have been able to function well.

What was the initial surgical approach and how it is different from the other method of surgery ?

Modular prosthesis was used to perform the surgery.  It enabled us to adjust the size of the head of the prosthesis which had the damage. This was a challenge as such surgeries are rare and even more rare on a person above 60 years. With prosthesis, we ensured that the patient gets back the range of movement as early as possible.We have been doing a good number of complex shoulder surgeries, plate fixation narngphilos  plate, but this was our first. Secondly, this fracture dislocation was a month old and the head was lying posterial. The challenge was to get the head out of the surgical incision  so that the space was created for the prosthesis to get in. Also, the proximity of all the vessels in the shoulder region was another challenge in our mind.We had to remove the head and place the prosthesis in the right position and ensure that the neurovascular structure remains intact.  In normal surgery or ones that are done without prosthesis, there is always a risk of the patient losing the movement or developing stiffness of the shoulder. And in case of multiple fragments, the risk of avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply) and nonunion of the fragments is very high.

Well taking initiatives for advanced surgeries like this, help other orthopedics?

Definitely, advance surgeries create a new era in arthoplasty, especially for orthopedic  surgeons and this will be good such as these  for those in and around Bhopal. We have been doing a lot of Shoulder arthoplasty, hip  arthoplasty, and knee replacement. People’s Hospital is  equipped with advanced machines and treatments and Modular OT enables total shoulder arthoplasty, and such surgeries. Also, this has paved the path for reverse shoulder arthoplasty.

Who is  your mentor, was this a pioneer project?

It was a self-learning experience. We studied thoroughly and referred to books and  research papers. Not many have done this type of surgery. Later, when we shared our experience with the orthopedic,  fraternity, it was well-received and appreciated. We also received constructive suggestions from other orthopedic.

Describe yourself , a blink of incite apart from surgeon ?

Basically , orthopedics has taught me one basic thing “ we treat he cures”, we are the tool in God’s hands and we can only effect the healing –we cannot effect the healing process….. We all need to do is that to do all the things right and to the best of our potential and in available resources ,opportunity and infrastructure and rest is of course all in the hands of All Mighty.-windowtonews