Haiti: Day 3

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Today, our work began with Dr. Danielle Antosh’s hour-long lecture on urinary incontinence with local doctors and medical residents from Port-au-Prince. Afterward, our doctors demonstrated use of an Endosee, a piece of equipment they brought with them to Haiti. The Endosee, a cordless, hand-held device, allows doctors to examine the uterine cavity. Antosh and Dr. Tristi Muir also demonstrated how to perform a urodynamics test — determining how well the bladder, sphincters and urethra store and release urine. 

 

This afternoon, the team began operating on patients. During the first operation, our doctors removed a cyst. The last surgery began after 7 p.m. EST. and lasted into the night. 

 

Daily Schedule  
Besides offering surgeries to women, our mission includes educating local surgeons on performing these life-changing procedures so they can continue this work after we leave. 

 

Today’s Schedule  

  • A morning lecture — topic: urinary incontinence  
  • Preoperation visits with patients  
  • Surgeries  
  • Patient rounds  
  • Case discussions with local doctors 

 

Lecture Topic: Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence, or bladder control loss, can range from mild leakage to uncontrollable urine loss. Causes include:  

  • Aging  
  • Obesity
  • Surgery involving the bladder or vagina in women 
  • Childbirth 
  • Medications 
  • Diabetes 
  • Some neurologic conditions 
  • Treatments include: 
  • Behavior modification 
  • Diet changes 
  • Botox injections
  • Pessaries — devices you insert into your vagina to support and lessen stress on your bladder and other pelvic organs 
  • Pelvic floor physical therapy 
  • Medications 
  • Surgery

 

Day Three Photo Highlights

 

endosee instruction

Dr. Tristi Muir, Dr. Shweta Pai and Dr. Danielle Antosh watch as Dr. Fiona Lindo demonstrates how to use an Endosee, a device that allows doctors to look inside the bladder.

 

examination observation

Local doctors and staff look on as our doctors remove a patient's cyst.

 

last surgery of the day.

Our doctors team up with local staff to perform Tuesday’s last surgery of the day.