Specialists from the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital are taking part in an international reconstructive microsurgery mission in Belarus
Prof. Jaume Masià, Dr Gemma Pons, Prof. José María Lasso and Dr Cristian Pomata took part in the first humanitarian and educational mission jointly organised by the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery and the European School of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
Specialists in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital took part in an international humanitarian mission focusing on reconstructive microsurgery, held in Minsk, Belarus, with the aim of treating particularly complex clinical cases and contributing to the training of healthcare professionals in the country.
The initiative, which took place last week at the Minsk Transplant Hospital, was the first humanitarian and educational mission organised jointly by the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (WSRM) and the European School of Reconstructive Microsurgery (ESRM).
Representing the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital were Prof. Jaume Masià, head of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the hospital; Dr Gemma Pons; Prof. José María Lasso; and Dr Cristian Pomata. During the mission, they worked alongside specialists from various cancer centres in Belarus and local professionals specialising in this field.
Highly complex procedures using advanced microsurgical techniques
Over the course of several days, the specialists carried out procedures on patients with breast cancer, lymphoedema, congenital facial malformations and bone tumours.
The procedures required the use of advanced reconstructive microsurgical techniques, a discipline that enables the repair of tissues and the restoration of anatomical and functional structures through highly precise procedures.
All the operations were successfully completed, despite the high complexity of the cases treated and the resource constraints within the hospital setting.
Alongside the surgical work, the mission included an extensive training programme aimed at surgeons and healthcare professionals in Belarus. The theoretical and practical sessions were designed to share knowledge, refine techniques and help local teams to continue developing reconstructive microsurgery with increasing autonomy.
For Prof. Jaume Masià, the mission provided an opportunity to combine direct patient care with the exchange of experience and knowledge amongst professionals.
“This humanitarian mission has been a deeply enriching experience, both from a human and a professional perspective. Discovering a country, getting to know a society and working alongside colleagues who are so keen to learn and continue to grow reminds us of the true meaning of international cooperation,” says the specialist.
Cooperation, training and knowledge transfer
The mission highlights the value of international cooperation as a tool for expanding access to highly specialised reconstructive procedures in countries and settings where these techniques are still underdeveloped.
In addition to the clinical results achieved, the initiative aims to generate a long-term impact through continuous training and the transfer of knowledge to local professionals, enabling them to incorporate these techniques into their clinical practice.
The participation of specialists from the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital in this mission reflects their commitment to teaching, international medical cooperation and the dissemination of advances in plastic, reconstructive and microsurgical procedures.
Through initiatives such as this, the hospital helps to drive the development of reconstructive microsurgery, foster scientific exchange between institutions and improve treatment options for patients with complex conditions.
