With the help of our invaluable volunteers, we completed 14 surgeries (7 palate and 7 lip) on our third day in Guayaquil.
Sterilization is not often thought about when surgery happens, but it is one of the most important steps. Carl Vahl was in charge of sterilization for our team in Guayaquil. We appreciate all his great work, as does our partner Fundacion el CIelo Para Los Ninos, and our host Hospital del Nino Dr. Francisco de Icaza Bustamante.
Nurse Erin Murphy's patient discharged some pee on her leg while she was holding him in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit). Our volunteers will do anything to make our patients comfortable! Audriyana Jaber, an AfS medical fellow, was born with a soft cleft palate, which she had treated when she was a baby. On our second surgery day, she finally got the chance to witness the same life-changing surgery she received as a child.