06-16-2010

Badri Kulkarni recently completed his second trip abroad as part of Operation Smile, an international collaboration of physicians, nurses and other specialists who treat children and adults with congenital malformations of the mouth and foreface. 

Since 1982, Operation Smile - through the help of dedicated medical volunteers - has provided free surgeries to children around the world.  With a presence in over 50 countries, more than 145,000 children receive assistance and or surgery each year. 

Dr. Kulkarni first flew to Lima, the capital of Peru and then on to Piura, a small town on the northwest coast.  On the first day there the team had to see about 200 children and adults to determine who was fit for surgery. More patients were seen on day 2, and blood tests reviewed from initial screening.  By the third day surgeries were scheduled, to take place over the next 4-5 days.  The preop and post op wards were set up by the team from scratch.  Approximately 30 surgeries are scheduled per day.

From Dr. Kulkarni's own words:  "The surgery days are long, and as the Pediatrician, I was responsible for preparing the children for surgery and taking care of them post op for 6 to 12 hrs. The day starts at 6 am and ends at 11pm. It's very hectic but everyone is working for a cause and people are in great sprits and there to work. It is great to work long hours with like-minded people.  On the last day we finish early, discharge all patients and have a small party.  We went to the beach and spent 4 hrs and had a great dinner.  The local plastic surgeon who was the head of the team took me out one day to see rural Piura and did some shopping and ate "Ceveche."  I have pictures of ceveche - it was the first time I ate seafood, it was great.  I loved the trip and would love to go again. "

Dr. Kulkarni releasing child with happy, new face to his mother

                                                                      Dr. Kulkarni evaluating a child post op