Team Leader: Dr. Mitch Brock, M.D.
Team Type: Otolaryngology (Ears, Nose, and Throat – ENT)
Campaign Summary: There were 243 outpatient consultations performed and 23 surgeries were completed.
Team Members:
Baumann, Brigid, Nun
Dr. Mitch Brock, M.D., Otolaryngologist (ENT)
Dr. James Grant, M.D., Anesthesiologist
Laurie Kremers, Registered Nurse
Jason Royse, Surgical Assistant
Margaret Wolf, Surgical Assistant
Our team was led by Dr. Mitch Brock, M.D. Most of the surgeries we performed this year were ear related. This was the first year that we did tympanomastoidectomies. (1) This surgery is not available from any providers in the Cusco or the Sacred Valley. We were excited to be able to provide this service to our patients.
(1) (From WiseGeek.org) – A tympanomastoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove growths or infected bone from inside the ear. Surgery is not always necessary to remove a growth or infection, but it is often the best course of treatment when the condition does not heal on its own.
The Eustachian tube helps equalize pressure in the ear. When the tube does not work properly, it can create suction in the middle ear that can cause recurring ear infections and growths. Problems with the Eustachian tube are often related to colds and allergies. A growth that forms near the eardrum can cause nerve damage, brain infections, deafness, or even death in extreme cases, so it is important to remove it promptly.
Surgeons make an incision behind the ear so that they can access the inner parts of the ear with surgical tools to remove infected cells and damaged bone. If a large piece of bone is removed, the surgeon may reconstruct portions or replace it with synthetic material. The ear is then packed with sterile gauze to help it heal, and the incision site is closed with stitches or a liquid surgical adhesive.