Over 40 veterinarians practised new fracture fixation techniques that they acquired during a series of lectures and workshops organised by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 6 and 7 October.

The lectures and workshops, part of CityU’s continuing education programme for local professionals, were hosted by Dr Kei Hayashi, Associate Professor of Surgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University.

Dr Hayashi has published more than 100 journal articles in areas such as ligament and tendon injury, wound healing, total joint replacement systems, molecular profiling of osteoarthritis, and the development of medicine.

During his two lectures on medial patella luxation and cranial cruciate ligament rupture, as well as fracture fixture, Dr Hayashi discussed the use of radiological assessment, surgery versus medical treatments, assessments about fracture healing, and the Dos and Don’ts of surgery.

In the workshops, he explained in detail and demonstrated plating techniques and the use of intramedullary pins with cerclage wires, allowing ample time for questions and hands-on practice.

The continuing education programmes for local veterinarians with three to five years’ experience are currently the focus of CityU’s School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), said Dr Howard Wong Kai-hay, Executive Director of SVM’s Professional Veterinary Education and Development. The aim is to help participants upgrade their diagnosis and surgery techniques.

“There are not too many opportunities for local veterinarians to share the latest knowledge about medical treatment, as most veterinary clinics in Hong Kong are small with only one practising veterinarian,” Dr Wong said.

“Even for a large clinic, senior veterinarians have little time to share their experience with newcomers due to their heavy workload. More importantly, there are no other local universities offering related training or workshops. It will be difficult for local veterinarians to enhance their techniques even if they want to further their studies or acquire professional qualifications.”