FV Hospital’s Orthopaedics Department successfully organised the academic workshop “Artificial hip replacement via SuperPath technique” on the morning of June 4 at FV’s auditorium. More than 60 people attended, including experts, lecturers and Specialization I and II students at University of Medicine and Pharmacy at the Ho Chi Minh City, as well as surgeons and rehabilitation doctors who study and work in the field of orthopaedics at many hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, FV’s Medical Director, Dr Do Trong Khanh, expressed his sincere thanks to his many colleagues in the room, and his gratitude for the participation of Assoc. Prof. Do Phuoc Hung, MD, Head of Orthopaedics and lecturers at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. “I hope that through this programme, FV Hospital will have the opportunity to cooperate in technical and scientific research with the many experts and doctors attending today. Our goal is to offer the best treatment methods to our patients,” added Dr Khanh.
Assoc. Prof. Do Phuoc Hung, MD, (right) had many questions for Dr Le Trong Phat about the SuperPath technique
The programme consisted of four parts: A presentation on artificial hip replacement via SuperPath technique, presented by Dr Le Trong Phat; introduction to the method of early rehabilitation after surgery at FV Hospital, led by Catherine Cousin, PhD, Head of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation; practical knowledge on-the-spot; a question and answer session.
Doctors pay attention to details around recovery after applying the SuperPath technique
Through this academic exchange, Assoc. Prof. Do Phuoc Hung hopes that the doctors developed foundational knowledge about the SuperPath technique and modern methods of rehabilitation support. Assoc. Prof. Hung shared: “Professional development is a must in medicine. Moreover, it also promotes areas around the medical industry to develop accordingly.”
He also believes that these academic workshops will foster larger research collaborations between FV and the University of Medical and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City in the future.
MicroPort’s training expert demonstrates how to use specialised equipment for hip replacement via SuperPath technique
At the end of the programme, doctors practiced the SuperPath technique of artificial hip replacement on the model using the specialist equipment provided. The practice session was guided by Dr Le Trong Phat and Dr Truong Hoang Vinh Khiem. A training expert from MicroPort, a unit which develops equipment for SuperPath technology, also provided guidance. Meanwhile, a group of physiotherapy doctors took part in a practice session using modern equipment applied to restore motor function for patients at FV Hospital, under the direct guidance of Ms Catherine Cousin and FV’s Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation’s technicians.
Ms Catherine Cousin introduces a number of devices in the ERAS rehabilitation programme
On behalf of the Orthopaedics Department, FV Hospital, Dr Phat hopes the knowledge he shared with colleagues was useful, and contributes to the overall development of Orthopaedics practice in HCMC. Similarly, Ms Catherine emphasised, along with the development of less invasive surgical methods such as SuperPath, the new generation of physical therapy methods will bring high treatment efficiency, reduce hospital stay and pain and improve patient experience.
Dr Do Trong Khanh (far right) thanks speakers and guests on behalf of FV Hospital
At the end of the workshop, representatives from FV Hospital and the Orthopaedics Department of University of Medicine and Pharmacy shared their plans to expand the workshop into a seminar series. Their vision is to help many doctors access new knowledge and techniques from theory to practice, bringing benefits first to patients, while also helping doctors and technicians working in orthopaedics to develop their skills.
The SuperPATH technique was developed by Dr James Chow from St Luke’s Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, and has been commonly used since 2011. In 2018, FV Hospital began to practice this technique and it became widely applied. To date, FV’s Orthopaedics Department has performed more than 50 cases using the SuperPath technique, all of which have been successful. Compared with previous surgical techniques, this new option allows patients to recover faster thanks to its high degree of tissue conservation, reduced blood loss during surgery, quick recovery of joint function and no limitation of movement. It also limits complications such as uneven limb length and hip dislocation.
The Department of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation at FV Hospital also applies the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme to help patients recover quickly and safely after surgery. ERAS covers comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care from pre-operative to post-discharge, involves patients and their relatives and loved ones, and utilises the latest modern monitoring equipment. The goal is to provide the shortest recovery time, while ensuring safe, tailored care for each patient.
Coupled with the SuperPath surgical technique, the ERAS programme has helped patients with artificial hip replacement to be able to walk stably and undertake activities in four to six days after surgery.
