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J Hand Microsurg 2021; 13(01): 10-15
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721565
Review Article

Hand Surgery in Singapore

Tong Pei-Yein
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery Service, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
,
Dawn Sinn Yii Chia
2   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
,
Usama Farghaly Omar
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery Service, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
,
Soumen Das De
3   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Health Systems, Singapore
,
Renita Sirisena
3   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Health Systems, Singapore
,
Robert Tze Jin Yap
4   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
,
Jacqueline Siau Woon Tan
4   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
,
Vaikunthan Rajaratnam
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery Service, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
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Abstract

Singapore as an island nation is one of three countries in the world that has hand and reconstructive microsurgery (HRM) as an independent specialty. The 52 accredited hand surgeons serving a population of 5.7 million facilitate hassle free access to patients. Hand surgery historically is rooted very much in orthopaedic surgery as in most Asian countries with more than five decades of rapid evolution. Singapore pioneered a structured and systematic training program for HRM and the local surgeons have contributed significantly to the body of knowledge in hand surgery with targeted research and publications with three surgeons being awarded international recognition for their contributions. Singapore continues to contribute significantly to surgical volunteerism regionally through active involvement in the training of regional surgeons through their sustainable volunteer activities and through international fellowships in Singapore hospitals. The future of hand surgery in Singapore will be more competency and multidiscipline based on community-centered approach.

Keywords

hand surgery - reconstructive microsurgery - surgical volunteerism - Singapore


Publication History

Article published online:
12 December 2020

© 2020. Society of Indian Hand & Microsurgeons. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
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