A group of surgeons from Europe and the United States were studying transfer of intestine for reconstruction of voice function surgery with Dr. Hung-Chi Chen, the superintendent of E-Da Hospital in the operation room of the hospital in the late evening. Dr. Chen carefully demonstrated and explained every detail involved in the procedure. He believes that medical knowledge and technology should be shared by all man kinds to serve the needs.
Cigarettes and Betel nuts are very popular in Taiwan as tobaccos and chewing gums are in America. However, both cigarettes and betel nuts are believed to be associated with the high prevalence rate of oral cavity cancer and other head and neck cancers in Taiwan. There were many such patients lost their ability to swallow food and to speak due to primary tumor resection. Dr. Chen has devoted himself in helping these patients to restore the basic functions. He has then become very skillful in trachea and esophagus micro vascular reconstructive surgeries.
Dr. Chen’s unique techniques in transfer of intestine for reconstruction of esophagus and voice function have attracted physicians from England, the United States, Brazil, Belgium, Hong-Kong and Singapore. These surgeons have become the “seed” doctors who not only serve and help the patients but also train and pass on their skills to other surgeons of their own countries. E-Da Hospital has trained more than forty of these “seed” physicians since it was established five years ago.
“The medical industries have faced a tremendous impact after 911. Medical services are no longer limited by borders. It has extended itself into international settings.” said Dr. Chen. He believes that Taiwan should actively exchange its medical knowledge and technology with other nations to improve its quality of care. The exchange should involve both sharing what we have and learning what we don’t have.
An English physician stated that she learned great varieties of flapping techniques which are rarely seen and performed in England. She precious the experiences she had here in Taiwan. She will encourage more colleagues to come to Taiwan and study the techniques with Dr. Chen.
Dr. Chen studied plastic surgery with the famous craniofacial reconstruction surgeon Dr. Samuel Noordhoff. However, Dr. Chen has further developed the reconstructive surgery and made himself a place in the field.
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