French surgeons to operate civilians with mine injuries at Superhumans rehabilitation center

Complex operations will be carried out within the framework of an intergovernmental project of Ukrainian-French ministries, supported by the memorandum signed in April last year.

What is the problem?

The number of patients with mine-blast wounds is increasing as the war is going on.  They all need highly qualified assistance involving multidisciplinary teams of specialists of the highest expert level and the most modern equipment, says Viktor Lyashko, Ukraine's health minister

"I am grateful to the French government for its expert assistance in this area and to the Superhumans Center, which hosts the mission. Joint coordinated actions will help Ukrainians affected by the war to recover and return to normal life."

What is the solution?

The project will last for five years and envisages the establishment of an expert school in Ukraine for facial reconstruction and plastic surgery in case of traumatic injuries.

It will help hundreds of traumatized patients using international clinical protocols and modern evidence-based practices, as well as summarize the scientific and practical experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with mine-blast injuries who suffered from war trauma in Ukraine.

How does it work?

The mission's first stage took place in July 2023 as an advisory mission.

At Superhumans, leading French and Ukrainian specialists examined 55 patients with mine-blast injuries to the craniofacial areas and developed treatment plans.

Medical teams in Lviv and Kyiv have already performed the first stages of surgery on 15 patients selected at the time.

Ukrainian specialists have already performed more than 50 reconstructive surgeries in the head and neck area for patients with mine-blast injuries sustained during the full-scale war.

The second stage of the joint Ukrainian-French mission is currently underway. The selected eight patients will soon undergo complex reconstructive surgeries: replacement of hard and soft tissue defects with autotransplantation and replacement of hard tissue defects with patient-specific implants.

The surgeries will take place at the Superhumans Center with the participation of specialists from both countries.

Two teams of surgeons from Lviv and Kyiv will gain experience from leading specialists from France, a country whose reconstructive surgeons are considered the best in the world.

This will scale up the necessary skills and help more people in different parts of Ukraine.