Struggling patient breathes easier after critical surgery

As of Oct 29, the team had performed a total of 67 surgeries on eyes, ears, noses and throats, as well as eight complicated dental treatments.

The Shanghai experts also provided free medical consultations at hospitals, rural clinics and communities, benefiting nearly 700 patients. They visited two local schools, offering professional eye and oral health screenings for more than 1,000 students, and establishing digital records for eyesight and oral health.

Pan Yunjun, a 54-year-old resident in Malipo's Tianbao township, was excited to learn that experts from Shanghai would be offering free consultations one October morning at an outdoor square in the township.

"I have been troubled by chronic sinusitis for months and my headache and nasal congestion worsen when I catch a cold," he said. "The Malipo county hospital is over 30 kilometers away from my home, but today I was able to see senior doctors at my doorstep — less than 1 km from my home.

"It was very convenient and the doctor gave me detailed suggestions on medication usage and tips for alleviating symptoms. I am very satisfied and thankful for their help," he added.

Another crucial task of the national medical team is transferring their medical skills to local doctors through on-site surgical teaching and other approaches, so as to enhance local medical capabilities.

Xu, the Shanghai physician, guided local doctors in carrying out procedures during his mission in Wenshan, including a session that removed a pea-sized growth from a female patient's vocal cords.

"The patient, a woman in her 20s, had a hoarse voice caused by a 9-millimeter polyp — unusually large for such a condition, as typical cases present as tiny as a sesame seed," he said.

The core of the minimally invasive procedure lasted only around five minutes and Xu, as a seasoned physician, acted only as an assistant, preparing instruments and offering counsel to 32-year-old Song Haili, a local doctor.

"His hands are very steady. He is gifted," said Xu. "I think my role is to instill in him a sharp eye for details. In this case, the key was not to remove as much tissue as possible, but to excise the lesion while sculpting the vocal cord to a smooth contour so that the patient could regain her voice seamlessly after the surgery."

Xu said that he saw great potential in local doctors like Song, who have accumulated experience with simpler cases but need support to handle more complex ones.

"Our time here is short and being able to guide them through difficult procedures is a precious opportunity to help build their confidence and skill," he said.

Zhou, the hospital president, added that the hospital has established a remote diagnosis and treatment platform with the prefecture-level health commission to share standard setting, quality control and management expertise to local hospitals in Wenshan.

"We will continue to leverage internet tools to strengthen local medical capabilities, such as expanding the types of diseases that will be discussed through the platform, engaging more local institutions and holding case discussions and online ward rounds regularly," he said.

wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn