Haiti: Day 3

Today, our work began with Dr. Danielle Antosh’s hour-long lecture on urinary incontinence with local doctors and medical residents from Port-au-Prince. Afterward, our doctors demonstrated use of an Endosee, a piece of equipment they brought with them to Haiti. The Endosee, a cordless, hand-held device, allows doctors to examine the uterine cavity. Antosh and Dr. Tristi Muir also demonstrated how to perform a urodynamics test — determining how well the bladder, sphincters and urethra store and release urine. 

This afternoon, the team began operating on patients. During the first operation, our doctors removed a cyst. The last surgery began after 7 p.m. EST. and lasted into the night. 

Daily Schedule  
Besides offering surgeries to women, our mission includes educating local surgeons on performing these life-changing procedures so they can continue this work after we leave. 

Today’s Schedule  

• A morning lecture — topic: urinary incontinence  
• Preoperation visits with patients  
• Surgeries  
• Patient rounds  
• Case discussions with local doctors 

Lecture Topic: Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence, or bladder control loss, can range from mild leakage to uncontrollable urine loss. Causes include:  

• Aging  
• Obesity
• Surgery involving the bladder or vagina in women 
• Childbirth 
• Medications 
• Diabetes 
• Some neurologic conditions 
• Treatments include: 
• Behavior modification 
• Diet changes 
• Botox injections
• Pessaries — devices you insert into your vagina to support and lessen stress on your bladder and other pelvic organs 
• Pelvic floor physical therapy 
• Medications 
• Surgery

Day Three Photo Highlights

Dr. Tristi Muir, Dr. Shweta Pai and Dr. Danielle Antosh watch as Dr. Fiona Lindo demonstrates how to use an Endosee, a device that allows doctors to look inside the bladder.

Local doctors and staff look on as our doctors remove a patient's cyst.

Our doctors team up with local staff to perform Tuesday’s last surgery of the day.