Skip to contents
In This Issue:
Giorgio Pietramaggiori held wound care workshops and treated earthqake survivors in Pakistan last month.
Reconstruction is nothing new to Giorgio Pietramaggiori, MD. A recent trip to Pakistan broadened the plastic surgeon-in-training's experience in restoration, however, as he assisted Pakistanis rebuilding their country by teaching them to take care of their injuries. This past December, Pietramaggiori, a researcher for BWH Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and plastic surgeon-in-training from the University of Padova, Italy, volunteered with a Real Medicine Foundation medical team treating survivors of the October earthquake that devastated the country. While treating cases of respiratory infection, pneumonia and unhealed wounds, Pietramaggiori noticed a gap in care that his training as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon emphasized-proper wound care. When neglected, infected wounds can lead to limb amputation and ultimately death. "We can't go on like this," Pietramaggiori said. Taking matters into his own hands, he developed for patients' use a $1 wound care kit that consists of antibacterial gel for cleaning hands without water, sterile saline solution, bandages, gauze, tape, disposable gloves and simple pictorial instructions. "It's a very simple approach to keep wounds clean," he said. Pietramaggiori held three wound care workshops for patients in Islamabad. On the last day, a patient told him he felt confident following the easy steps. "It was the best response I could imagine," Pietramaggiori said. "The people need to learn to do things like this themselves so that they can begin to resurrect their country." Before leaving, Pietramaggiori made sure that the wound care project would continue by meeting with the minister of health for Pakistan and World Bank officers, who committed resources and funds. Pietramaggiori is grateful for the support of Associate Chief of Plastic Surgery Dennis Orgill, MD, PhD, and the advice he received from Stephanie Rosborough, MD, senior fellow in the International Institute for Emergency Medicine and Health, who provided relief to earthquake victims in October. Last month, Pietramaggiori returned to BWH and began training for the Boston Marathon with Team Brigham, which raises funds for community health programs through the BWH Office for Women, Family and Community Programs. It's one way for him to give back to BWH and the local community. Giorgio Pietramaggiori held wound care workshops and treated earthqake survivors in Pakistan last month.