Welcome to AOFAS OEF Vietnam 2011

This will be the blog for the 2011 project.  I invite anyone who has been on any of the previous trips to contribute and anyone with knowledge of the project and it's history.  Please identify yourself when writing or posting pictures.  Welcome to the 10th anniversary of our mission.



In 2001, Dr. Pierce Scranton had a dream to create the AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) Vietnam Outreach program working together with Prosthetics Outreach Foundation.Who would have dreamed that 10 years would pass so quickly. The initial focus was on landmine victims and amputees but oh how that has changed. We now take on complex untreated deformities, untreated club foot, polio, post trauma, etc.We've been to Vinh City (our initial site) multiple times and it is now a larger, thriving facility. Dr. Cong who took a leap of faith and allowed strange doctors from America into his OR is now the director! We are organized with 2 teams of 2 surgeons each for 2 weeks. We have an agreement with the Vietnamese government to provide care to the disabled, especially for foot and ankle problems. The project has spent time with Dr. Toan and his residents at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi. Viet Duc is your large city "busy" hospital admitting >200 trauma patients per night. Last November, the stretchers lined the orthopaedic ward hallways with patients awaiting further treatment. Additionally in Hanoi, we have worked at the Agricultural Hospital, Bach Mai, and the Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Institute (where we will be spending next week). Venturing forth from Hanoi, AOFAS/OEF has also been to Ba Vi, Haiphong, Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai, Thanh Hoa, Dien Bien Phu. The project has seen thousands of patients and surgically treated at least 700. Orthopaedic Surgeons have come from around the world to participate. This year surgeons from Brazil, Mexico, Switzerland, France and America will enjoy Vietnamese hospitality! Education is a large focus and we work side by side with the local Vietnamese Orthopaedic surgeons who then provide follow up patient care. A seminar is held on the “transition” Saturday between the teams, providing a great educational opportunity for about 150-180 Vietnamese surgeons with speakers from AOFAS and Vietnam.Lively debate often breaks out. The news media covers the trips with newspaper articles and TV interviews. On one trip, we "held" clinic on stage in a big auditorium with an audience of students, residents, attendings and of course the media. Our mission is both to provide service but also education so that the very caring and skilled Vietnamese surgeons can expand their knowledge of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgery and treat their patients with complex problems.

Who would have dreamed 10 years ago????? Pierce Scranton, POF and AOFAS