Bonn University Clinic

At the beginning of this week we were given an opportunity to take a trip to Bonn University Clinic to observe some surgeries being performed that morning. I believe each was orthopedic, but some were very major, more invasive procedures, while others were minimal. The group I was with was able to see two surgeries that day, the first of which was one on the shoulder of a middle-aged Italian man to repair his ac joint. The procedure had previously been done incorrectly in a small private clinic, so the surgeons we were watching were not completely sure what kind of work they would encounter going in. From what I could tell they worked masterfully and that’s the whole team: Anesthesiologists, nurses, intern, and head surgeon. They all seemed to stay in a good humor and keep a light mood about the room throughout, which may be because it is so routine for them, but really helped us relax as we watched some very crucial moves being made. After a short break to recuperate, we attended as much as we could of the next surgery our doctor had scheduled, and exciting total knee replacement on an older woman. This patient had also had a failed procedure done previously, so the cement previously used had to be removed before the doctors began sawing through the bones to separate the upper and lower leg. After, they worked to shave the bone into optimum shape and drill into the two bones to implant the artificial knee joint. This was a very strenuous progression with an interesting mix of very delicate, precise motions and larger, more forceful actions. We left just in time to see the doctors put the two halves of the joint together but it did appear the leg was a bit off of center, so there was probably a good deal more to be done. I had never witness a surgery being done in person or been operated on so I was very thankful for this opportunity and more than a little impressed by the entire experience.