Odessa National Medical University collaborates with prominent microsurgeon Olafs Liebermanis

Odessa National Medical University, as a center where science, practice and international experience are combined, continues to open up new opportunities for the professional development of young doctors and experienced specialists.

A unique master class on training microsurgeon teams was held at the University Clinic on Tinistaya, conducted by the famous Latvian specialist Olafs Liebermanis. The event acquired special significance in war conditions, when Ukrainian medicine is faced with challenges every day that require the highest level of professional training. It should be noted that today this direction in surgery plays a very important role in the treatment of both military personnel and civilians who have massive defects of various localizations after gunshot wounds and other combat injuries. The use of microvascular technologies in reconstructive surgery makes it possible to restore the function of a damaged limb or other anatomical area, to preserve not only life, but also the working capacity of the wounded. After all, for the military this means a chance to return to a full life, and sometimes to continue service.

According to Olafs Liebermanis, microsurgery today is not just high technology, but a real tool for restoring the health of the defenders of Ukraine. That is why the knowledge gained by Odessa doctors during the master class is invaluable. They open up the possibility of implementing new approaches in the treatment of the wounded, reducing the rehabilitation period and improving the quality of medical care. “The master class of Olafs Liebermanis, who has over 40 years of experience in the field of reconstructive microsurgery, is an irreplaceable experience. We are learning the elements of microsurgery, which will allow us to continue to provide assistance to the wounded at a high level,” the participants of the event say.

The Department of Oncology, Reconstructive Surgery, Radiology and Radiation Medicine of ONMedU treats a large number of servicemen who need reconstructive interventions. During his stay in Odessa, Olafs Liebermanis, together with the surgeons of the University Clinic, performed several operations on wounded people with very severe hand injuries. During the operations, he demonstrated modern techniques and subtleties of microsurgical interventions. His work made an unforgettable impression on the doctors present in the operating room. “The tissue reconstruction he performed was incredibly easy and elegant, without any tension on the flap, with fantastic eye and precision of the hands,” Odessa surgeons say with admiration.

In turn, Olafs Liebermanis noted: “We also learn from Ukrainian doctors: they have a rational, practical mindset, they are dynamic, courageous, sometimes even fearless — and this is absolutely necessary for a specialist. You need to be able to take risks, have skillful hands and high efficiency.”

Awareness of a common goal and mutual necessity became the basis for cooperation between the Latvian surgeon and Ukrainian colleagues.

The ONMedU University Clinic is implementing the “Treatment of Combat Hand Injuries” program, supported by Latvian and Ukrainian entrepreneurs, the charity organization Ziedot.lv, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. The idea is to operate on wounded people with severe hand injuries from both the military and civilian healthcare systems, provide intensive treatment, and extensively train local doctors and prepare young people. The initiators of the project are convinced that thanks to this program, the development of microsurgery will occur at a faster pace, and Ukrainian surgeons will be able to help a much larger number of wounded.