THE number of wounded soldiers in the ill-fated C-130 military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu who were transported to Davao City to undergo medical operations rose to five after another soldier was transported on Friday, July 9, 2021.
Dr. Arnulfo Mapayo, Plastic Surgeon Vice Director of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Burn Unit, told SunStar Davao that the wounded soldiers were transported from Zamboanga Medical Center in Zamboanga City to undergo skin grafting operations.
Mapayo said all patients hail from Mindanao, based on their medical profile.
Earlier, the four wounded soldiers arrived in the city on Wednesday afternoon, July 7. They underwent operations on Thursday, July 8.
While the recently transported soldier, who was initially operated in Zamboanga, underwent dressing as he sustained extensive burns, his lower extremities are currently being examined for possible operations.
Mapayo, meanwhile, said the four soldiers are already in stable condition after the operation.
"Maghulat na lang mi (We will wait) on Sunday [July 11], we will open the postoperative side," he said, adding the soldiers sustained major burns in their neck, arms, and back part.
Mapayo said they are no longer expecting more wounded soldiers to be transported in the city as majority of those left in Zamboanga did not sustain major burns and were not recommended for skin grafting.
He said the patients were transported to SPMC since Zamboanga Medical does not have any plastic surgeon specialist who is capable of doing the procedure.
SPMC has one of the largest burn units in Mindanao, Mapayo said.
Skin grafting is a type of medical grafting involving the transplantation of skin. The transplanted tissue is called a skin graft. Skin grafting is often used to treat extensive wounds or trauma.
Mapayo said there was a need to immediately conduct the surgery within seven days after the injury.
Once their condition improves, they will be transported to Camp Panacan Station Hospital for rehabilitation.
Prior to their admission, all of the wounded soldiers underwent swab testing and had tested negative from Covid-19.
The plane crash on Sunday, July 4, killed 50 soldiers and three civilians, while injuring 46 other soldiers and four civilians.
The Davao City Government recently sent six medical doctors to assist the survivors of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) C130 plane crash. RGL