Surgeon develops protocol to assist critically ill-patients

 

Prof. Esther Ajuluchukwu, a Professor of Vascular and General surgery says that she has developed a protocol to enhance the survival rate of critically ill patients.

Ajuluchukwu, the Wife of the late First Republic Politician and Veteran Journalist, Late Chief Michael Ajuluchukwu, made the disclosure on Saturday during the 15th Inaugural Lecture of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki.

The Sub-Dean of the university’s Faculty of Clinical Medicine said that the protocol which has assisted in managing various difficult surgical cases is termed: Esther Ajuluchukwu Resuscitation (E.A.R) protocol.

“This protocol has increased the survival rate of critically ill-patients requiring both pre-and postoperative nutritional supplementation and care,” she said.

She said that the protocol which is adopted by several surgeons is characterised by the principles of 3-4 Ts: which for instance, assist in draining excessive gastric fluid in the stomach.

“The principle is also applied in the vein to administer drips and drugs parenterally and in the urinary bladder, to drain the urine.

“Initial investigations in resuscitation are done, deranged values corrected while the work-up and optimisation of the patient are instituted; all through these principles,” she said.

Ajuluchukwu remarked that wounds on healthy people heal quickly when kept clean and free of infection while other types are more serious and require medical intervention.

“There is evidence that patients with severe protein depletion have greater incidences of postoperative complications such as pneumonia, wound infection and prolonged hospital stay.

“Healthy food choices may help with recovery by providing the energy, vitamin, mineral, protein among other requirements necessary to promote healing,” she said.

Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, Vice Chancellor of the university commended Ajuluchukwu for her feats in surgery, noting that the university was proud of her.

“You have added value to the university’s lecture series and we pledge to add value to it through the contributions of outstanding scholars,” he said.

Prof. Amaria Omaka, Chairman of the university’s Distinguished Professors Forum while inducting Ajuluchukwu into the fold noted that it would gain from her vast scholarly experience.

The theme of the lecture is: ‘Introducing the E.A.R protocol; the power of adequate resuscitation in remedial surgery.'