Life-saving surgery performed by SMS

According to the Associated Press, a British doctor who is volunteering in Congo used SMS  instructions to perform an arm amputation.The doctor, David Nott knew that a 16-year-old boy whose arm was bitten off by a hippopotamus needed a forequarter amputation to remove his left shoulder.  

Dr. Knott is a general and vascular surgeon and had never carried out such an operation before. He knew this procedure was a huge risk.He text messaged a London colleague who texted him back telling him how to do it!  He text messaged Professor Meirion Thomas, a British surgeon with experience in this procedure. Dr. Meirion texted back step-by-step instructions on how to do it. Dr. Knott performed the surgery following these instructions. The boy has made a full recovery.

How cool is that? 

– Posted by Giselle Abramovich

Posted in Messaging on Friday, December 5th, 2008 |
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