You almost couldn’t think of a worse injury for a circus acrobat than cutting tendons, arteries, muscles and nerves in your right arm.
But that’s exactly what happened to seventh generation circus performer Jessie Grant last Friday.
Jessie was incredibly lucky that his accident cutting his right arm on a window, happened in Cairns.
He was the first patient to use the new surgical microscope provided by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation through donations and fundraising activities.
There are only two of the microscopes equipped in this way, in Queensland – one in the Sunshine Coast and the other now in Cairns.
“I knew I was lucky to have a great team looking after me here, but I didn’t realise I was so lucky that this happened in Cairns,” Mr Grant, 27, said.
He estimates he was in surgery within an hour of arriving at the hospital. The cuts missed the main nerve in his wrist and caused about five per cent damage to the other nerves.
Part of Jessie’s role in the Infamous the Show involves one-armed swings and comedic stunts where he lands on that arm.
“While I’m recuperating I’ll modify my act so there’s not so much physical stuff for me,” he said.
His family started Ashton’s Circus in 1851, he started on the trapeze at the age of 8 and turned professional aged 15.
WRAPPING Christmas presents, having fun at a Melbourne Cup function and several significant donations have resulted in the new surgical microscope arriving at Cairns Hospital.
Funded by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, the Zeiss 800 microscope cost $409,000 and was put to use shortly after arriving.
Purchase of the microscope means Cairns Hospital is one of only two in the state to have it specifically with with intraoperative fluorescence for plastics and reconstructive surgery. The other is at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Cairns Hospital plastic surgeon Dr Kristian Sørensen was ecstatic to use the new equipment.
“Less than two weeks after arriving it was used to reconstruct a damaged arm by repairing arteries nerves and tendons,” Dr Sørensen said.
“In all aspects, the microscope was far superior. From the setup of it in theatre, to the clarity of the magnification and the ability to show in real time the microsurgical operating in high definition on an attached screen, the new microscope had everyone excited about its future applications. The clarity of the magnification is hugely beneficial for detailed operations on small arteries and nerves. The ability to show what is being done in high definition and record video, means it will be a valuable tool for teaching new generations of surgeons, but also in aiding the scrub nurses in anticipating the next stages in the operation.
“There are a number of free tissue transplants planned in the coming weeks, where the new microscope will be utilised and even more functions can be made use of.
“One of the exciting aspects of this particular microscope, is it can be used to visualise the blood perfusing the piece of transplanted tissue. This way we can ensure the blood supply is good enough and thereby minimise any delay or problems with wound healing. This is something the previous operating microscope could not do,” Dr. Sørensen said.
“The fundraising efforts by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation so far have been amazing and the community’s response fantastic. Having this microscope ensures the population of Far North Queensland have a reconstructive service unmatched apart from the metropolitan areas around Brisbane.
“The plastic surgery and orthopaedic microsurgical teams are very optimistic about the increased quality of care we can now provide for the community.”
Foundation CEO Tony Franz said the money was raised through Christmas Wrap at Cairns Central, the Melbourne Cup function at Nu nu Restaurant, several private donations, Car for a Cause raffle and sales of coffee and other food at the Foundation’s cafes.
“This is a great outcome for the community, that now has access to this state-of-the-art microscope. This year the Foundation is donating more than $3 million worth of equipment to the hospital and that’s possible because of the community’s support.”
Photos: FGF's Warren Massingham, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chairman Clive Skarott, patient Jessie Grant, FGF's Murray Moule, Cairns Hospital plastic surgeon Dr Kristian Sørensen.
Middle: Cairns Hospital theatre nurses Liz Walker, Peta Shaw, Helen Campbell and Clare McSwan with plastic surgeon Dr Kristian Sørensen.
Bottom: Jessie Grant's arm before surgery.
