In February 2020, with support from UCI Orthopaedic Surgery Department and Dr. Ranjan Gupta, David Wright (PGY4) traveled to Coimbatore, India for 2 weeks to complete a microsurgical training course and clinical observership at Ganga Hospital. Led by Dr. Raja Sabapathy, Ganga Hospital specializes in orthopaedic trauma and reconstructive microsurgery, serving as the quaternary referral center for most of South Asia. The 5-day micro course is run through the Ganga Hospital Microsurgery Training Institute and is founded on Dr. Robert Acland’s University of Louisville Microsurgery Course. Since its inception in 2000, over 1,200 surgeons from around the world have completed the course at Ganga Hospital, including 69 surgeons from the United States.
After completing the course, Dr. Wright stayed on for an additional 1-week clinical observership with a focus on brachial plexus and lower extremity microsurgical reconstruction. Moderate-energy road traffic accidents involving unprotected moped riders are a leading cause of brachial plexus injuries and lower extremity trauma in India. Open fractures are treated at Ganga with early aggressive debridement and expedient soft tissue coverage within 72 hours, if indicated. During his 1-week observership, Dr. Wright observed and participated in procedures ranging from upper extremity replantation, to free functioning gracilis muscle transfers, to osteocutaneous free fibula flaps. Since returning from India, he continues to make use of the microsurgery laboratory on-site at UC Irvine Medical Center to continue practicing and improving his microsurgical skills. He is currently applying to fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery and is interested in incorporating lower extremity reconstruction as part of his future practice.