Toshiba Portable Ultrasound Brings Imaging to Pediatric Surgical Mission in Tanzania

May 11, 2016 — Children in Tanzania with anorectal malformations received life-changing corrective surgeries with the help of Toshiba’s ultrasound during a recent mission conducted by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Imaging plays a crucial role in these procedures and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. donated its Viamo ultrasound system for use during the mission.

In partnership with Mending Kids, 10 medical personnel from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital used the Toshiba system to evaluate pediatric patients with anorectal malformations — which occur in one in 5,000 live births — train local medical staff and perform 15 life-saving surgeries at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania, serving about 13 million people in the region.

“Through Mending Kids we were able to provide much needed medical technology to assist in the reconstructive training and best practices to treat anorectal malformation, which is commonly done in developed countries, but not easily achievable to many underdeveloped communities like Tanzania,” said Steven J. Kraus, M.D., chief, radiography and fluoroscopy, and radiologist, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. “Toshiba ultrasound’s excellent image quality and ease of use enabled our team to successfully assist in the workup for all of the anorectal surgical procedures performed. We were also able to conduct other valuable exams, including identifying tethered spinal cords, helping to find veins for IV access in the ICU and the imaging of conjoined twins.”

Mending Kids provides life-saving surgical care to children worldwide. Over the years, thousands of children have received corrective, transformational surgeries that have given them a chance at longer, healthier and happier lives. Most of the surgeries performed correct congenital heart defects, orthopedic abnormalities, severe scoliosis and significant cranial facial deformities. Mending Kids’ work is accomplished through four core programs: Overseas Surgical Missions; U.S. Hometown Missions; Individual Surgical Care; and Training, Research and Innovation.

For more information: www.medical.toshiba.com