OPERATION OPEN HEART
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The Operation Open Heart Teams inaugural trip in 1986 was to Tonga. Most recently the team returned in 2011.
Prior to the arrival of the team, local doctors completed a screening process of both adult and paediatric patients. This is highly valued as they understand the social structures as well as the medical conditions, and will be responsible for ongoing patient care following the team’s departure. On arrival the short listed candidates were reviewed and 28 patients were selected based on their individual needs and likelihood of recovery.
Patients that underwent surgery ranged from 30 weeks to 54 years of age. Some of the surgical procedures were complex and involved multiple valve replacements.
The population of Tonga is approximately 100,000 so they do not have the population to support the development of a local cardiac surgery unit. However, education continued to be a major focus for the team, with the local staff very enthusiastic to learn, particularly in the nursing disciplines.
The Ministry of Health also allowed the small neighboring country of Tuvalu to send two patients to Tonga for surgery by Operation Open Heart. The collaboration of smaller Pacific nations is a concept fully supported by Operation Open Heart and we are keen to see this develop further in the future.
You can view more stories about the Tonga trip via the team’s blog which can be found at www.ooh.org.au/blog.
To support the on-going work of Operation Open Heart in Tonga, please visit our HealthCare Outreach Donations page.
TRUE STORY
Ana is 13 years old. During the pre-visit screening, Ana was diagnosed with severe damage to three valves in her heart, and it was determined that Ana’s condition had deteriorated too far and she was too ill for surgery to be considered. The heart wrenching decision was made not to operate and that she only had a finite time left to live. During the time she was in hospital and the team was operating on other cases, she improved a little – just enough to warrant a re-assessment. The improvement gave the team some hope, and it was decided to attempt surgery to give Ana a chance. Ana’s surgery commenced at 3pm, and by midnight the surgical team had replaced her mitral and aortic valves, and a decision made that the tricuspid valve did not require replacement.
In 2011, Ana returned to see the team. She is fit and healthy and made a full recovery. It was amazing and truly rewarding to see how her life had completely transformed over the past two years.
“Seeing Ana is why we participate in Operation Open Heart. This is why we go”
Dr Bevan Hokin
What is one special memory you have from the trips you have been involved in?
It’s not once specific memory, but I am constantly amazed on every trip how the local teams are able to “make do” and work around the lack of supplies or equipment. They don’t have access to all the modern equipment that we do, but are able to find solutions around these problems and make it work. It always gives me an appreciation for what we have here in Australia - something I always remind our staff about when we return!
Pam Reid
Recent Trips
September 2011: Operation Open Heart - 28 people receive surgery
September 2009: Operation Open Heart - 17 people receive surgery & no waiting list remaining for cardiac surgery
October 2008: Operation Open Heart - 14 cardiac surgical procedures performed
