We met Jovan when one of the Tanzanian residents, Dr. Johnson, asked Dr. Bobby to see him in clinic. Jovan is a young man who broke his lower leg about two months ago and had a rod placed surgically to treat the break. He returned to clinic because his leg, unfortunately, had become infected. Our team discussed at length the best way to get antibiotics to the right place, with the resources available, to treat Jovan’s infection. We landed on first removing the rod that Jovan had in place and washing the infected area copiously. Then, the exciting part— we were able to teach the Tanzanian residents a new technique! Antibiotic rods are not available here, but our team made one for Jovan! Bone cement (not too dissimilar from regular cement, but designed for use in bone surgeries) was mixed with antibiotic powder. This was then rolled around a rod, which was inserted into Jovan’s lower leg bone. The extra diameter of the cement would have made the rod too large, but resourceful Dr. Josef filed the rod down, decreasing its size, so that it fit perfectly after the antibiotic cement was added.
Here’s a photo of Dr. Johnson holding the antibiotic cement wrapped rod— you can see the white cement surrounding the nail (and Dr. Bobby supervising the surgery on the left)!
Here you can see Dr. Ani, flanked by Dr. Johnson on the left and Dr. Tushal on the right, inserting the antibiotic nail, as Dr. Josh looks on.
SOAP is happy to say that Jovan is doing well today and also delighted that a new technique will remain here at KCMC, even after we have gone home!