The new operating unit at the Vitebsk Children's Regional Hospital can now perform surgery on patients of all ages

You see an LED surgical light in the picture. Shadowless, which is very important in surgery, it allows all participants of the operation to equally well see the tissue deep in the wound. The novelty was demonstrated in the operating unit of the children's regional hospital, which recently opened after reconstruction. Five operations were performed on the very first day, and more than 70 in the past three weeks. The chief physician of the hospital, Alexander Pitkevich, immediately said that children in the country and the region are truly cared for, and as confirmation, he cited the figure: 9 billion rubles were allocated from the regional budget for the reconstruction of the operating unit, which lasted three years.

Since the department is special, the main concern is sterility. Even patients enter the operating room through an airlock, where they are transferred from one gurney to another to prevent the penetration of hospital microflora.

There are now six operating rooms, and the entrance to each is through a pre-operative room. Strict control, as we were explained, is a guarantee that there will be no post-operative complications.

To the question about the role of the operating unit in the hospital, Alexander Pitkevich answered figuratively: "It is a kind of workshop for an artist." Considering that elements of plastic surgery have been introduced, the comparison is appropriate. Surgeons treat the operating unit with reverence, and positivity is paramount here. The tone is set by the operating nurses (there are eight of them, led by senior nurse Elena Stashkevich), who have very high requirements and, most importantly, meet them.

The new equipment is impressive. Alexander Eduardovich, together with the head of the operating unit, Alexander Yanushkevich, demonstrated unique expert-class anesthesia and respiratory equipment (there was one unit, four more were purchased), which allows anesthesia to be administered to children of any age and weight, even if they weigh two kilograms.

They spoke about the "Siemens" brand electron-optical converter, which allows for real-time radiography – this technological marvel was not previously available in the department. There was an electrosurgical unit, but the old one and the six new current ones are like night and day, yet this ensures bloodless surgeries. Thanks to modern laparoscopic systems, the number of minimally invasive surgeries has doubled compared to last year, including those previously performed only in Minsk (on kidneys, triple pelvic osteotomy, etc.).

Next year, they intend to implement technologies that have not yet been used in pediatric surgery in Belarus – for example, intramedullary osteosynthesis for fractures.

In terms of the range of serious surgical and trauma operations, pediatric surgeons from Vitebsk are among the best in the country. The hospital leads among similar healthcare institutions in the republic in terms of staffing and equipment. This is the first children's hospital to acquire a 64-slice computed tomograph!

The prospects are also impressive. In the near future, it is planned to complete the reconstruction of the therapeutic building, which will allow them to focus on the pediatric ENT department, which will soon move from the regional hospital. The latest equipment worth five and a half billion rubles has already been purchased for it. Premises are being prepared for the ophthalmology department (which will also move from Nikropolye).

Moving departments under the roof of the children's hospital is not an end in itself; the task is to preserve all the best that existed, as well as to increase the volume and quality of care.

Nina Pisarenko, "Vitbichi"