From September 24th to September 27th, 2024, an expert team from Children’s of Alabama (USA), led by Assoc.Prof. Brandon G. Rocque, visited Vietnam National Children’s Hospital to exchange knowledge on epilepsy surgery and donate medical equipment.
Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and Children’s of Alabama (USA) have had a cooperative relationship since 2016. Doctors of the Neurology Center at the hospital have successfully performed many complex and challenging epilepsy surgeries through the exchange and professional support of experts from Children’s of Alabama. In 2023, with the support of specialists from Children’s of Alabama, doctors at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital performed surface cortical deep electrode implantation surgery to map the epileptogenic zone, achieving complete surgical success for two children with drug-resistant epilepsy. This is an advanced technique globally and was carried out for the first time in Vietnam.
Within the framework, the expert team supported patient consultations and transferred the technique of functional cortical mapping using electrical cortical stimulation to identify the epileptogenic zone to the doctors at the Neurology Center of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital.
Notably, Children’s of Alabama donated two modern medical devices to support epilepsy surgery for the Neurology Center, including one neurological monitoring device and one surface electrical stimulator for mapping functional brain areas.
Representatives of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital received medical equipment granted by Children’s of Alabama
Welcoming the delegation, Assoc.Prof. Tran Minh Dien, Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, shared: “I greatly appreciate the continued collaboration with Children’s of Alabama Hospital over the past 10 years. The experts have provided us with training, direct consultations, and the transfer of advanced techniques for the treatment of complex cases and have supported our hospital with equipment. The knowledge imparted by these experts has enabled our doctors to not only treat pediatric patients at the hospital but also support training at other pediatric and general hospitals within the referral system. During this visit, the experts will continue to support the examination of children with complex epilepsy, train us on new techniques, and donate equipment and supplies to the hospital. These are invaluable gifts for us.”
Assoc.Prof. Tran Minh Dien also committed that Vietnam National Children’s Hospital would use the donated equipment appropriately and effectively. He expressed his hope that both parties would continue to cooperate in the endeavor of caring for and protecting the health of Vietnamese children.
Having accompanied Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in various collaborative activities over the years, Assoc.Prof. Brandon G. Rocque – Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s of Alabama, said: “I am honored to have the opportunity to return and work again at the hospital. I know that Vietnam has a large population of children and a complex disease profile. Based on the positive cooperative relationship between the two sides over the years, I hope that we can continue to work together to further develop modern surgical techniques and the quality of neurological care for children, as well as expand capacity for pediatric care in other fields.”
Assoc.Prof. Brandon G. Rocque expressed his delight that Children’s of Alabama and he, personally, could contribute to the development of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital.
As part of the program, the expert team also conducted a training session for doctors at the Neurology Center and participated in a workshop titled “Multidisciplinary Coordination in the Treatment of Movement Disorders in Children with Cerebral Palsy” for doctors and trainees in Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Orthopedics at the hospital.
The workshop took place in the afternoon of September 26th,2024
“Since 2020, under the guidance of the hospital’s management, doctors at the Neurology Center have begun researching and acquiring equipment for treating children with cerebral palsy. However, our understanding of surgical rehabilitation is still limited. Therefore, today’s scientific session with leading experts from Vietnam and around the world is an opportunity for medical professionals to update and share more knowledge on surgery for pediatric cerebral palsy patients. At the same time, it allows for discussions to establish appropriate indications among Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Orthopedic specialists, thereby contributing to improving the quality of life for children with cerebral palsy,” said Dr. Le Nam Thang, Vice Director of the Neurology Center and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, at the workshop’s Vietnam National Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Le Nam Thang, Vice Director of the Neurology Center and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, delivers the opening speech at the training session.
Many insights on multidisciplinary coordination in the care and treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy patients were presented by experts during the workshop.
By enhancing international cooperation in the field of neurology, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital has accessed new and advanced techniques worldwide, marking a significant step forward in the field of neurosurgery. This progress has enabled the successful treatment of many complex cases, bringing hope and improved quality of life to many pediatric patients.
