JHAM-IMC Resident Best Paper Award, 2021

“It always seems impossible until it’s done”—Nelson Mandela. The Journal of Hand and Microsurgery (JHAM) has a strong mind, always hopes, and has always caused to hope. JHAM introduced the Resident Best Paper Award 2021 as its flamboyant lead in academic commitment, especially in this novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation. It was an awe initiative of the JHAM for all residents in hand, orthopaedic, and plastic and reconstructive surgeries, and allied trauma specialties. As a resident, many surgeons, including the author, did not get enough opportunity to present their work in an international forum. A no opportunity is a lost opportunity. The idea of bringing up the residents stimulated the author to carry through and implement his dream wish. JHAM’s altruistic goal is all about uplifting the residents and providing them an opportunity to improve their skills, knowledge, and outcomes. The International Microsurgery Club (IMC), founded by Dr. Tommy-Nai-Jen Chang, graciously supported this incredible opportunity.[1]

Once decided, the JHAM-IMC announced submission dates on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and via e-mail. To make it universal, we preferred abstract submissions on the topics related to upper and lower limb surgery and reconstructive microsurgery. However, we restricted the articles to original articles, ideas and innovations, surgical techniques, and case series. Surprisingly we received enormous support for this endeavor in many countries, requesting the postponement of the last date of submission. To meet up their enthusiasm and loads of interest, we postponed the last date. For ease and better submission, we encouraged the participants to submit their articles on the Facebook page of IMC. We received 23 submissions and a dozen of late submissions.

The judges were Profs. Dong C. Lee (Korea), Johnny Lu (Taiwan), Andrea Moreira (United States), Ruben Kannan (United Kingdom), and Wei F. Chen (the United States). There was a tough competition between the many submissions by participants. A special thanks to the judges who selected the top six papers for the final presentations on September 18, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time (9 p.m. Taiwan). Drs. Yun-Huan B. Hsieh (Australia) and Laura C.-F. Chen (Taiwan) efficiently moderated the webinar. Dr. Smit K. K. Patel (India), a first-year resident in plastic surgery from Ganga Medical Centre and Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, presented “foot fillet” free flap transfer from nonsalvageable amputated opposite lower limb for restoration of weight-bearing sole and heel pad defect.[2] Dr. Annie Wang (Canada), a fourth-year resident in the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery at the University of Toronto, Canada, presented “Arthroscopic reduction and percutaneous fixation of a perilunate injury.”[3] Dr. Sergi B. Verdoy (Spain), a plastic surgery resident at Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, presented “Enhanced perforator flap thinning with low cost, 3D printed stereotaxic guides: new method and applications for SCIP and thin ALT flaps.”[4]

Dr. Chaitra Krishna (India), a final-year resident in plastic surgery at Madras Medical College, Chennai, presented “Omega shaped modification of saphenous artery-based keystone perforator flap in perigenual soft tissue defects.”[5] Dr. Prajwal M. Divakar (India), an orthopaedics surgery resident from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, presented “A unique and cost-effective vessel dilator for microsurgical practice.”[6] Dr. I. Gusti Ayu Putri Purwanthi (Indonesia), a third-year resident of the Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Faculty of Medicine Udayana University, Bali, presented “Double anterolateral thigh free flap for plantar pedis reconstruction.”[7]

The panel of judges had a challenging and demanding time to decide the winner. Finally, Dr. Tommy-Nai-Jen Chang proposed and Dr. J. Terrence Jose Jerome, editor-in-chief of JHAM, announced the winner. Drs. Smit K. K. Patel, Hari Venkatramani, and S. Rajasabapathy from Ganga Hospital, India, won the first JHAM-IMC Resident Best Paper Award 2021. The panel was impressed by their surgical technique, the outcome, and the innovative idea of reconstructing weight-bearing sole and heel pad defects. This article will be published in an upcoming issue of JHAM. Three cheers to the winners and best wishes for their hard-earned, everlasting glory.

A great beginning always has a happy ending. The secret of proceeding ahead is getting started. JHAM triggered this great initiative and successfully finished strong. The ultimate victory in this competition was derived from the final six participants who had done their very best. The author was grateful for their active participation with great enthusiasm. Nobody goes defeated all the time. We wish the other participants to get up, move, and fire up all their energy and willingness to win. We hope to continue this JHAM- IMC Resident Best Paper Award every year for our younger colleagues and the future generations of medical researchers to come up and shine. This annual award will recognize the talent, quality, and excellence of residents early in their careers.

We look forward to seeing you all soon with another innovative opportunity.

Publication History

Article published online:
08 October 2021

• References

• 1 Meeting link: https://internationalmicrosurgeryclub.webex. com/internationalmicrosurgeryclub/j.php?MTID=mf3cb57 815f9776a12806bb7ec263b10eMeeting link: https://interna- tionalmicrosurgeryclub.webex.com/internationalmicrosurgeryclub/j.php?MTID=mf3cb57815f9776a12806bb- 7ec263b10e
• 2 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1702063276733451/posts/2961745177431915/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 1702063276733451/posts/2961745177431915/
• 3 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1702063276733451/posts/2961711660768600/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 1702063276733451/posts/2961711660768600/
• 4 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1702063276733451/posts/2960731740866592/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 1702063276733451/posts/2960731740866592/
• 5 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1702063276733451/posts/2962125940727172/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 1702063276733451/posts/2962125940727172/
• 6 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1702063276733451/posts/2962161574056942 https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 1702063276733451/posts/2962161574056942
• 7 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1702063276733451/posts/2959506057655827/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 1702063276733451/posts/2959506057655827/