thedrifter
10-10-06, 07:19 AM
Plastic Surgery Advances Helping U.S. Marines
By Heather Ishimaru
Oct. 9 - KGO - The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is meeting in San Francisco this week, and while U.S. Marines might not be the first type of patient to come to mind, they are among those who benefit most from advances in plastic surgery.
Two years ago in Fallujah, Marine Sgt. Douglas Hayenga was injured in a mortar attack that killed four others. His right tibia was shattered and was within medical guidelines for amputation.
Sgt. Douglas Hayenga, U.S. Marine Corps: "They didn't tell me, which I guess was good emotionally for me. I didn't find out until later, then it kind of like put a lump in my throat."
But doctors saved his leg. It was a similar story for Sgt. Oscar Canon, who was also injured in Iraq two years ago in an ambush and IED explosion.
Sgt. Oscar Canon, U.S. Marine Corps: "When I saw my leg I saw the bone. I said, 'Oh this isn't really that good.'"
Doctors first told him he would never walk again. But after 58 surgeries, he's not only walking but just ran a marathon.
Sgt. Oscar Canon, U.S. Marine Corps: "It's all about what you put your mind and heart to do."
Canon and Huyenga also credit the military plastic surgeons who saved their lives and their limbs.
Colonel Thomas Crabtree is one of them.
Col. Thomas Crabtree, M.D., U.S. Army: "The saves, the salvages that we're able to deliver now, even in the last two years, some of the advancements that have been made are mind-boggling."
Crabtree has worked at all stages of the reconstructive surgery process -- from the front lines to the last stop at stateside military hospitals. He says the one critical area in need of a breakthrough is nerve replacement.
Col. Thomas Crabtree, M.D., U.S. Army: "If there's one thing I could wish for, it would be a piece of nerve you could get at "Nerves Are Us" and have delivered and sew in and have it work."
Sgt. Douglas Hayenga, U.S. Marine Corps: "People in the community are thankful to us but we're so thankful to all the doctors and medical staff that help us."
Hayenga is retiring from the Marines this month. Canon wants to go back to Iraq as soon as he can.
Ellie
By Heather Ishimaru
Oct. 9 - KGO - The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is meeting in San Francisco this week, and while U.S. Marines might not be the first type of patient to come to mind, they are among those who benefit most from advances in plastic surgery.
Two years ago in Fallujah, Marine Sgt. Douglas Hayenga was injured in a mortar attack that killed four others. His right tibia was shattered and was within medical guidelines for amputation.
Sgt. Douglas Hayenga, U.S. Marine Corps: "They didn't tell me, which I guess was good emotionally for me. I didn't find out until later, then it kind of like put a lump in my throat."
But doctors saved his leg. It was a similar story for Sgt. Oscar Canon, who was also injured in Iraq two years ago in an ambush and IED explosion.
Sgt. Oscar Canon, U.S. Marine Corps: "When I saw my leg I saw the bone. I said, 'Oh this isn't really that good.'"
Doctors first told him he would never walk again. But after 58 surgeries, he's not only walking but just ran a marathon.
Sgt. Oscar Canon, U.S. Marine Corps: "It's all about what you put your mind and heart to do."
Canon and Huyenga also credit the military plastic surgeons who saved their lives and their limbs.
Colonel Thomas Crabtree is one of them.
Col. Thomas Crabtree, M.D., U.S. Army: "The saves, the salvages that we're able to deliver now, even in the last two years, some of the advancements that have been made are mind-boggling."
Crabtree has worked at all stages of the reconstructive surgery process -- from the front lines to the last stop at stateside military hospitals. He says the one critical area in need of a breakthrough is nerve replacement.
Col. Thomas Crabtree, M.D., U.S. Army: "If there's one thing I could wish for, it would be a piece of nerve you could get at "Nerves Are Us" and have delivered and sew in and have it work."
Sgt. Douglas Hayenga, U.S. Marine Corps: "People in the community are thankful to us but we're so thankful to all the doctors and medical staff that help us."
Hayenga is retiring from the Marines this month. Canon wants to go back to Iraq as soon as he can.
Ellie