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Department of Orthopaedic Surgery UBC

CLINICAL (DIVISIONS)

ORTHOPAEDIC TRAUMA

Head:
Peter J. O’Brien

Every year, thousands of British Columbians sustain critical injuries as a result of accidents. When multiple traumas, fractures, sprains and other bone and soft tissue injuries are suffered, the patient often requires the immediate attention of the orthopaedic trauma surgeon.

The Division of Orthopaedic Trauma is one of the larger divisions within the Department, and comprises 14 members based at all of the teaching hospitals. The major focus for complex adult trauma is at Vancouver Acute and the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. The Division, which serves as the province’s quaternary referral centre for orthopaedic trauma, uses a helicopter landing facility located on the roof of the Jim Pattison Pavilion at Vancouver Acute for critically injured patients arriving from throughout British Columbia.

Intramedullary nailing is an area of specialization the Division employs in the treatment of long bone injuries. The Division also concentrates on the management of complex periarticular and pelvic fractures. Some of the more common surgical techniques in the treatment of fractures include internal fixation (aligning and immobilizing the break using plates and screws or a rod) and external fixation (inserting pins into the bone through the skin and applying a metal frame around the limb). Post traumatic reconstructive surgery includes limb shortening and lengthening and is also an area of expertise.