Telemedicine Aids Remote Knee Surgery

Orthopedic surgeon Bertram Zarins and anesthesiologist Vicki Modest of Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, USA) helped Dr. Timothy Pollard at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to suture a damaged tendon in the left knee of the patient in a two-hour operation by using a telemedicine connection. This is the first time the US Antarctic Program has used telemedicine for surgery, although two-way voice and video links were used previously to assist in medical procedures.

The patient had previously consulted with Drs. Zarins and Modest as well as with other US medical experts. They presented a range of options for treating the knee using digital x-rays sent via the telemedicine link and a live video transmission of the patient's knee examination. The patient agreed to the surgery judged to be the best option for restoring the maximum mobility to the damaged knee. The telemedicine connection was provided by Raytheon Polar Services Co. (RPSC, Centennial, CO, USA; www.rpsc.raytheon.com).

The people spending the winter (February through November) at the South Pole Station are unable to leave because extreme cold and darkness prevent aircraft landings. Officials judged an evacuation of the patient as too risky to aircrews.




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