Plastic surgery for explosion injuries: A deployment in Rafah Gaza with Dr. Jan Wynands

Plastic surgery for explosion injuries: A deployment in Rafah Gaza with Dr. Jan Wynands

dr. Jan Wynands, a plastic-surgical specialist at the University Hospital Bonn, recently returned from a three-week surgical use in the Gaza Strip. There he operated people with serious explosion injuries every day. Equipped with a cardiac surgery in one of the remaining hospitals in Rafah, he was in the service of the International Committee of the Red Cross (IKRK), supported by the University Hospital Bonn, in particular by Prof. Walter Bruchhausen and Prof. Jörg C. Kalff.

Most patients who treated Wynand suffered from explosion injuries, and his main goal was to avoid amputations. In close cooperation with local doctors and medical staff, he carried out an average of 12 operations a day. Despite the adverse circumstances, including strict safety precautions at the border and simple living conditions on site, Wynands remained on duty for 12 hours a day to help the injured.

Despite the emotional challenges, it was impressive for Wynand to experience humanity, friendliness and strong care on site. This experience has motivated him to pass on his knowledge and skills in other crisis areas. So he found in Dr. Hayham Abu Sultan in Rafah a committed colleague who also strives to preserve people from disabilities and share their medical knowledge. The use of Dr. Jan Wynands in the Gaza Strip illustrates the selfless commitment and commitment of doctors who do their best even under the most difficult conditions to help injuries.