Performed the world's first limb transplant from a living donor
My first impression of the doctor in military uniform was not only his simple demeanor, but also his warm, friendly and lovable smile. We journalists, although not his official students, respectfully called him "teacher Hoang". Because the knowledge and stories he shared in the interviews were not only new and profound, but also brought authentic perspectives that were hard to find anywhere else.
"Many of my comrades remained on the battlefield, many others were injured and lost parts of their bodies. In my early days as a doctor, I participated in surgery to treat wounded soldiers with amputated limbs, but the pain was not knowing how to fully restore them," he shared pensively. It was those haunting memories of the battlefield that inspired him to enter the path of orthopedic trauma, turning his concerns into motivation to change the lives of those unfortunate people.
In August 2008, after participating in the world's first double arm transplant in Germany, Professor Hoang and his team received the Karl Max Von Bauerfeind Scientific Achievement Award from the University of Munich, Federal Republic of Germany. That same year, he completed his second-level doctoral thesis in Germany.
In 2014, 108 Military Central Hospital had a major project on organ transplantation (heart, lung, cornea, limb transplants...), starting to open up the hospital's strong development in this special field. "In 2019, I performed the world's first limb transplant from a living donor. The results were very impressive" - Professor Hoang shared.
Developing a new field always faces many difficulties. The scarcity of donated organs is the biggest obstacle in this field. "Necessity is the mother of invention". He researched and studied ways to use parts of the body that are no longer usable and regenerate circulation to transplant them to other patients. His research brought "unbelievably" good results.
Thanks to these unique studies, up to now, Professor Hoang and the team of doctors at the 108 Military Central Hospital have performed 4 limb transplants with 6 limbs. Of these, 2 were transplants from living donors and 2 were transplants from brain-dead people. The initial results of the 4 transplants showed that the patients all recovered well and could move normally. This is a truly impressive and groundbreaking result, creating great prospects for the field of limb transplants at the 108 Military Central Hospital.
“Many colleagues from abroad have expressed their desire to send surgeons to Vietnam to learn about limb transplantation. We are also moving towards signing a scientific cooperation agreement to promote and create opportunities for experts from both sides in exchange, training and scientific research,” said Professor Hoang.
Twice refused Europe, wholeheartedly devoted to the country
When sharing about his chance to enter the medical profession, Professor Nguyen The Hoang did not hesitate to confide: "I grew up in a family with a tradition of medicine. My grandfather was a physician, former Director of Military Hospital 105, and my mother was a pharmacist. It was from that "cradle" that the smoldering flame of the desire to cure and save people was gradually lit in me."
Initially, he did not really love medicine, but he still followed his father's advice and decided to enter the Military Medical Academy to continue the family tradition. However, the turning point came in his third year of university, when he was exposed to and practiced clinical practice. Witnessing serious illnesses and the complexity of treatment, his passion for medicine began to blossom. "The teachers who were dedicated to their profession and devoted to their patients passed on the passion for scientific research to me. I always considered them as idols to follow," he shared.
In 2008, after being appointed Associate Professor at the University of Munich, Federal Republic of Germany, he received an invitation to stay and work. In 2012, when he was honored to receive the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Prize from the German Academy of Sciences Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for outstanding and groundbreaking scientific research, the invitation was repeated once again. However, Professor Hoang refused both times to return to Vietnam, surprising many colleagues and relatives.
When asked why, he simply said: "I am a soldier, I feel that I must complete the tasks assigned by the Party and the Army. And above all, I want to do something for the sick." For him, the most important thing when studying abroad is to bring back advanced knowledge to serve the country and the people.
As someone who chose to pursue a career in surgery, Professor Hoang believes that a surgeon must have a passionate heart for patients, a clear mind to make accurate judgments, and skillful hands to perform surgery. In particular, he considers microsurgery as a "salvation" in the field of plastic surgery, helping to treat injuries that seem impossible to fix.
He recalled that in his early days of graduate school, when he had not yet learned about microsurgery, he was helpless when faced with patients suffering from ulcers or missing limbs and had no way to help them. But now, thanks to microsurgery, seemingly hopeless cases can be completely treated, giving patients a new lease of life.
When recalling the first limb transplant in his career, he still clearly remembers the pressure he faced. "I operated all night, from 8pm to 7am the next morning, under the supervision of the doctors. The success of that surgery helped me affirm that I had some ability," he humbly recounted.
Becoming one of two Vietnamese people elected as academicians of the World Academy of Sciences, Professor Nguyen The Hoang still maintains simplicity in every word: "At this time, I remember more about my teachers. They are the ones who laid the first bricks, laying a solid foundation for us to be lucky enough to walk on that path later. I think more about the patients. Having this honor, is also thanks to the trust and support of the patients" - People's Doctor Nguyen The Hoang said with all his heart.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Hoang was born in 1965, from Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh. He was awarded the title of associate professor in 2006, received a doctorate in science in 2008 and associate professor from the University of Munich in 2009. In 2018, he received the title of professor.
He is the main author of more than 100 research works published in domestic and international journals, chairing and participating in many scientific research projects at the state and ministerial levels.
He is the second person in the medical profession to be honored, after Professor, Doctor Nguyen Huu Phan was the first person to be honored in the 90s.
(Posted on the special edition of Lao Dong Xuan At Ty)
