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Operating in a developing country is a completely different experience than that in the United States. Surgeons operate on these fractures without the aid of C-arm magnification. Through tactile sense they are able to know the position of the nail or the end of the reamer being inserted. This is quite different than being able to view the position of the implant or instrument with C-arm. If you have trained prior to the development of C-arm and have developed the technique of feeling when instruments and implants are in the correct position, you will remember how much fun this type of surgery can be. Operating by tactile sense requires focus and attention, bringing an entirely new dimension of experience into orthopaedic surgery. Even if you have trained since the development of the C-arm, you will enjoy the challenge of operating by tactile sense immensely.
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Most SIGN programs are located in hospitals that primarily treat trauma. Local (host) surgeons must treat a broad spectrum of trauma and they are interested in learning new techniques to treat their patients. SIGN needs skilled trauma surgeons interested in trauma to volunteer to teach, learn, and develop friendships with the host surgeons. Orthopaedic surgeons with other specialties are also needed.
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Please consider sharing your capabilities by volunteering to visit a SIGN program. When operating in different countries, knowledge and surgical experience flows both ways. Because 90% of the world’s fractures occur in developing countries, orthopaedic trauma surgeons in these countries develop incredible skill and experience. There are
200 programs in 41 countries using the SIGN equipment. We can arrange for you to visit existing sites that accommodate visitors who have not traveled overseas before. We will match your specialty with the needs of the local hospital.
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We recommend that volunteer surgeons attend the annual SIGN conference held in Richland, Washington. Surgeons from SIGN programs abroad and from the US share orthopaedic knowledge and experiences through workshops, lectures, and seminars. The
2010 SIGN Conference will be held September 15th - 18th.
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The first step to learning more about volunteering with SIGN is to complete the volunteer application form and the release form. Dr. Zirkle or a SIGN board member will respond to your application within a few days of your submission. Please reach out to learn the pleasure of learning more and helping the poor.
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Download the Application (MS Word)
Complete the Application
Online Release Form
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"I have now traveled to Nepal five times and will spend the end of 2007 there. I have watched surgeons become proficient at trauma care and transfer the technology within Nepal and now have the pleasure of meeting with them each year, either in Nepal or at the SIGN conference. We have over 400 nails implanted at four different hospitals and more patients treated each year. My son and husband will accompany me back to Nepal this year, nearly two years after my son’s adoption, and we look forward to seeing all of the colleagues and friends we have made there. During our stay, Dr. Chakra Pandey and I will start a new SIGN program at Patan Hospital in Kathmandu. When asked why I want to participate in SIGN and travel, the only answer that comes to mind is that, without these new friendships and experiences, my life would not be as rich as it is. The opportunity to share what we have and the warmth of our global friendships enriches our family so much that I cannot imagine life without them."
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-Carla Smith, MD, PhD, SIGN Board Member
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SIGN surgeon Dr. Larry Hull
