Of Sewing and Thread

Sudah lama rasanya tak menjahit oral mucosa dan skin..kecuali kes yang minor sebab alleged fall which commonly occured on toddler, schoolchildren. Petang Jumaat, sedang enak-enak menunggu appointment lain pula kes yang datang. Nasib baik bukan after office hours.

C/O : Alleged RTA
19 y/o male , helmeted motorcyclist vs car , under INFLUENCE (alcohol), fall on the face, sustained several L/W (laceration wound) on the face and lips. Medical: clear. Chest Xray, PA of skull and lateral skull view were taken.

I read the gist of information written by Medical MA. But the word 'influence' was highlighted in my mind. Sigh. Trying hard enough not to be a prejudice, I'm doing and carrying out my duty at the best condition.

Blood oozed and the smell of alcohol mixed almost suffocated my nose. What to do?. I felt like throwing out. Here we go:

HISTORY
INSPECTION
PALPATION..

E/O (extra oral) :
Face symmetry
No periorbital hematoma (Racoon's eyes)
No abrasion wound
Right upper lip deep l/w , thru and thru, size 7mm extended to inner lip mucosa, ragged edges.
Upper chin l/w in horizontal and vertical cut fused (5x5 mm)
On palpation : no tenderness noted or step deformity (if bone fracture occured)

I/O (intra oral)
Limited mouth opening
No occlusal derangement
Tooth 11 - luxated
Poor oral hygiene.

...everyone stand surrounding me. Like an orchestra conductor.
'Never watch people sewing eh?'
'This one quiet different Dr, you're doing stiches on human!'

Oklah then, sambil menjahit sambil mengajar.
'Sape nak belajar ubat apa nak prescribe untuk patient RTA?'
'Saya Dr!' aih berebut pulak.

'RTA tuh apa Dr?'
'RTA = Road traffic accident, tapi kadang-kadang orang tulis MVA = motor vehicle accident'
'CMC tuh apa Dr?'
'Chloramphenicol= antibiotic untuk skin esp applied on sutured l/w. So the idea of putting dressing gauze on wound not practical sebenarnya. Lepas sutured, debride balik then put CMC tu je. Cepat sikit heal'

'Next, kita extract gigi 11 dia'

...15 minit menjahit sambil berdiri. Meletihkan, tapi alhamdulillah tak susah sangat pun.Allah permudahkan. Except my eyes gone tired. Semalam, belumpun pukul 10 dah..kroh..kroh. Tambah lagi hujan-hujan begini. Lenanya saya. Dan saya masih bermimpikan sahabat saya, dalam satu halaqah kami berkongsi cerita. Akhirnya, mengalir juga air mata ini...