KARACHI: Experts emphasised the significance of immediate medical assistance for individuals injured in various accidents, including traffic incidents at Pakistan's first International Traumatology Conference on 'Trauma Care Challenges: The Way Forward in the Digital Era' organised by the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma (SMBBIT), that concluded here recently.
During the three-day event, titled Pak TraumaCon 2023, distinguished local and international speakers presented papers on Neurosurgery, Vascular Oral and Maxillofacial, Plastic Surgery and Thoracic Surgery, Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology and infection.
Prof Shahjahan Katpar for the first time represented Pakistan’s oral maxillofacial surgical specialty as the co-chairman of the Scientific Session at an international conference.
In an exclusive interview with Dental News, Prof Shahjahan Katpar stated, "I am honoured to have represented Oral Maxillofacial Surgical Specialty as the Co-Chairman of the Scientific Session at the first International Traumatology Conference. This opportunity has allowed us to share our expertise and highlight the vital role of a multidisciplinary approach in delivering optimal care to trauma patients. We are committed to further advancing traumatology in Pakistan and beyond."
Dr Mansur Ahmad, a founding member of the Pakistan Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMFS), was the guest of honour.
On its concluding day, the participants in the conference specifically focused on ‘Facial & Neck Trauma’, discussing advancements and best practices in trauma care.
The regional session on Facial & Neck Trauma was chaired by Prof Huma K Saigol from the Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU), Lahore, and co-chaired by Dr SM Asad Shabbir Bukhari from Rawalpindi. The session was moderated by Prof Noor Ul Wahab from Ziadudin University.
The session commenced with opening remarks by Prof Shahjahan Katpar from DUHS & SMBBIT, and Dr Mansur Ahmed, also a consultant oral surgeon at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), introduced the session. The experts delved into various aspects of facial and neck trauma management, highlighting specialised areas within the field.
Some notable presentations included those given by Prof Dr Mazhar Ul Hasan from DUHS & SMBBIT and Dr Saba Alkhairy from SMBBIT, discussing orbital injuries in the field of ophthalmology. Prof Dr Adnan Shah from the University of Manitoba, Canada, shared insights on managing zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
The session also featured presentations by Prof Huma Kayani Saigol, focusing on ophthalmology related to traumatology, and Dr Shabbir Bukhari, who discussed surgical airway management of trauma in the field of ENT surgery.
Prof Katpar shed light on various aspects of maxillofacial surgical traumatology, elaborating comprehensive spectrum of procedures, techniques, and challenges encountered in this specialised field. Maxillofacial surgical traumatology encompasses the management of injuries to the face, jaws, and related structures. Prof Katpar's presentation provided a unique opportunity for attendees to gain in-depth knowledge about the surgical interventions, advancements, and innovative approaches employed in this field.
Additionally, Dr Nadeem Ahmed Siddiqui from (AKUH) gave presentation on the management of vascular injuries in the neck.
Prof Noor Ul Wahab, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and Head of the Department at ZDC (ZU), shed light on the management intricacies of zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. He spoke about complex fractures and highlighted the challenges involved in their management. With expertise in OMFS, Prof Wahab provided valuable insights into the latest techniques and advancements in treating such fracture. His presentation received great interest and appreciation from the audience.
Dr Maria Shabbir and Dr Munawar Larik from SMBBIT, along with Prof Katpar, presented a retrospective study on the frequency of orbital fractures in facial trauma patients.
One of the key highlights of the conference was the panel discussion moderated by Prof Katpar, focusing on polytrauma management and emphasising the importance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach. This comprehensive approach under a single roof enables healthcare professionals to provide efficient and coordinated care to trauma patients.
A major breakthrough at the conference was the introduction of MDT trauma patient care, which promotes a unified general anesthesia strategy. This initiative aims to establish a national policy in line with international standards, ensuring standardised care across the country. By implementing a common platform for trauma care, Pakistan is taking significant strides toward enhancing patient outcomes and improving the overall quality of trauma management.
Pak TraumaCon 2023 brought together medical and dental experts, educators, and scientists to share knowledge and discuss the latest advancements in the field. It serves as a testament to Pakistan's commitment to providing top-notch care in traumatology and highlights its dedication to improving the overall well-being of its citizens.
The conference also featured an exclusive poster competition that showcased the contributions of various specialties from all over Pakistan. The participants included experts in orthopedics, anesthesia, neurosurgery, general surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, oral & maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), and physiotherapy.
In the OMSF specialty, a poster titled "Pediatric case management of displaced & complicated zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture" was submitted by Dr Munawar-Ud-Din Larik, Dr Maria Shabbir, and Prof Shahjahan Katpar.
Dr Muhammad Mannan Ali Khan, Dr Badaruddin Sahito, Dr Tariq Ali Bhatti, Dr Husnain Ali, Dr Waqar Ali, and Dr S M Mohtashim Ali from DUHS & Civil Hospital were awarded the first prize in the Scientific Poster Presenter category for their poster titled "Vac Dressing - A Weapon In The Arsenal Of Orthopedic Surgeon In The Treatment Of Gustilo Anderson 3-B Fractures." Their poster highlighted innovative techniques in the management of complex fractures.
In the field of Anesthesia, Dr Rao Noman, Dr Sidra Javed, Dr Arshi Naz, Dr Samita Khan, Dr Humera Ismail, Dr Zahid Akhter Rao, and Prof Sadqa Aftab from SMBBIT were awarded second prize for their poster titled "Clinical Profile of Adult Tetanus Patients and The Impact of Early Tracheostomy on the Outcome; A Retrospective Observational Study." Their study sheds light on important aspects of patient care and outcomes in tetanus cases.
The third prize went to Dr Shabih Ayesha, Dr Murk Niaz, Dr Urooba Mateen, and Dr Syeda Mahrukh Fatima Zaidi from SMBBIT for their poster titled "Frequency and Clinicoradiological Characteristics Of Traumatic Thoracolumbar Fractures: An Institute-Based Experience." Their research contributed valuable insights into the frequency and characteristics of traumatic thoracolumbar fractures.
The conference also featured a multitude of educational pre-conference workshops, providing participants with an opportunity to delve into a vast array of specialties. The expert-led sessions focused on various specialties and allowed attendees to expand their expertise and gain fresh insights from accomplished professionals in their respective domains.
