Techniques of SIGN Program Building

Abstract

Bringing a new surgical technology, such as Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN), to countries where the surgeons have never before done locked intramedullary nailing is rarely a straightforward process. Though SIGN only goes to hospitals that request the implants, camps often emerge within the orthopaedic department. They can be enthusiastic or resistive, sometimes breaking along ethnic lines, or more often along an age divide with the younger, though less powerful members, the more likely adherents for the new. The voiced fears, uncertainty, and excuses from some about trying a new technique often sound bizarre to Westerners who accept, and even expect, change on a daily basis. The path and ease of program building also depend on who brings the technology, how it is presented, and who are the first local champions of the technique. No guidelines exist on how to best accomplish this. SIGN s success often depends on time. For in 6 or 8 months most of the staunchly pessimistic and reluctant surgeons usually come to recognize the success of treating complex lower extremity fractures with SIGN.