SAWUBONA Foundation 2nd Mission Report February 2022

Mission period 06.02. – 11.02.2022

Members of Mission:

Prof. Dr. J. Oertel, Neurosurgeon; Prof. Dr. K. Schwerdtfeger, Neurosurgeon; Dr. D. München, Neurosurgeon, ICU Specialist; Dr. M. Hülser, Chief Resident in Neurosurgery; Dr. F. Teping, Chief Resident in Neurosurgery; Dr. A. Bansberg, Resident in Neurosurgery; Dr. J. Szoro, Anaesthesiologist; Dr. A. de Faria, Anaesthesiologist; Dr. K. Donauer, Anaesthesiologist

Coordinator of mission: Virgina Weiss, Nurse

Local Contact and Coordinator: Dr. Ben Okanga, Neurosurgeon

The group arrived on February 06.th early morning. On the morning of Sunday February 6th, 18 patients were seen under the guidance of Dr. Okanga in the outpatient unit. The Anaesthesiology group was introduced to the theatre and instruments as well as to the ICU. After outpatient clinic, rounds were done with visitation of about 5 cases scheduled for surgery in the coming week.

On February 7th, 4 procedures were performed. These included 2 endoscopic third ventriculostomies, 1 central meningioma resection, 1 VP shuntinsertion with tumor biopsy.

On February 8th, 5 procedures were performed. These were 3 shunt insertions, 1 sphenoid wing meningiomas, and one subcutaneous cyst resection.

On February 9th, there was a lecture at the surgical residents seminar Wednesday morning. Topic was pituitary pathology and hormonal insufficiency. Thereafter 4 procedures were performed. These were 2 temporal lobe resection for malignant gliomas, 1 resection of a giant vestibular schwannoma and 1 shunt insertion.

On February 10th, 4 procedures were performed. There was 1 resection of giant recurrent craniopharyngioma, 1 cervical discectomy and fusion, 2 shunt revisions.

On February 11th, the final rounds were conducted. All postoperative cases have been visited and documented. Further treatment recommendations have been provided on the referring wards.

There were outpatient follow up of 15 patients from the 1st mission in August 2021. Eight of these were personally seen.

The team provided a total of 2 Fogarty catheters, 6 ventriculoperitoneal shunt systems, 4 bactiseal catheters, 4 litres of disinfectant, a microdissector set, several Kerrison punches, 150 bandages, trachestoma pads, steristrips, iodoform gaze, laryngeal tubes, ventilator masks, drugs (propofol, adrenaline, bronchospasmin) and gloves.

With our three certified anaesthesiologists we were able to provide profound knowledge and experience to maintain high quality narkosis.

Due to lucky circumstances, we also had the opportunity to meet the current Kenyan Minister of Health within our hotel. We took the chance to portray our ambitions and exchange valuable information in order to further increase our efficiency.

Dr. Okanga is scheduled for a clinical fellowship of one month to further intensify his minimally invasive surgical techniques.

The next mission is planned forFebruary 2023.

Sincerely yours

Joachim Oertel