Lack of components has put a halt in carrying out total knee replacement surgeries at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu. After the first successful surgery in December last year, the hospital received a number of patients wanting to undergo the surgery. However, the hospital says they have been unable to carry out the surgeries since they do not have the artificial knee which is imported from abroad.
A knee replacement surgery is carried out on patients with worn-out or injured knees. It involves removing the damaged knee joints and replacing them with man-made artificial ones. The hospital says it does not have certain joints in stock.
All joints in all sizes are required during the surgery.
“A patient’s knee size for replacement is measured only during the surgery. If the required size of the artificial knee is number four, but if we have only size three, then it is risky to perform the surgery. That’s why we can continue knee replacement surgeries only when all sizes of artificial knees are here,” said Dr Kuenzang Wangdi, Head of Orthopedic Department.
The components are imported from the US and the hospital has already placed the order which is expected to arrive soon.
More than 70 patients have listed themselves to undergo total knee replacement surgeries.
The hospital says it will resume the surgical procedures immediately after all the required equipment reaches the country.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
