Operation Orangutan: Denver Health Team Helps Injured Denver Zoo Primate
July 19, 2024
This isn't your typical patient story from Denver Health.
Denver Health Orthopedics surgeons Andrew Maertens, MD and Jessica Churchill, MD successfully performed critical surgeries on Hesty, a 14-year-old orangutan from the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. The primate sustained injuries during a recent altercation with a family member, prompting Spencer Kehoe, DVM, a specialist in zoological medicine at the zoo, to seek specialized medical assistance.
Denver Health Orthopedics staff said when they initially got the phone call requesting assistance, they thought it was a practical joke.
"I explained that I was a veterinarian at the Denver Zoo calling about an orangutan and the person who was helping me on the phone was very polite but was like, 'I'm sorry can you repeat that?'" Dr. Kehoe said.
Drs. Maertens and Churchill, both skilled surgeons, responded to the call, addressing multiple open fractures in Hesty's hands and feet, as well as a significant wound to her left elbow. Resident Joshua Mares, MD – PGY V and hand fellow Lindsay Kosinski, MD worked on one of her hand fractures and Chris Zamora, surgical tech, and Michael Moore, lead sterile processing technician, had key roles in assisting with the surgery.
"Her foot really did act more like a hand, which is why we were comfortable taking care of it," Dr. Churchill noted, comparing the procedure to those performed on humans.
Throughout the surgery, Dr. Kehoe provided species-specific insights, ensuring comprehensive care for Hesty.
"It went seamlessly. It went very smooth," Dr. Kehoe said of the successful outcome.
Following the operation, Hesty's recovery progress was closely monitored at the zoo, where Drs. Maertens and Kehoe observed positive signs.
"It's hard to tell if she's just protecting it or what. But her elbow looks awesome," Dr. Maertens remarked during a recent post-surgery checkup.
The collaborative effort between Denver Health and the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance has provided Hesty with optimal conditions for healing, aiming for her eventual return to full health and function.
Denver Health Orthopedics surgeons Andrew Maertens, MD and Jessica Churchill, MD successfully performed critical surgeries on Hesty, a 14-year-old orangutan from the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. The primate sustained injuries during a recent altercation with a family member, prompting Spencer Kehoe, DVM, a specialist in zoological medicine at the zoo, to seek specialized medical assistance.
Denver Health Orthopedics staff said when they initially got the phone call requesting assistance, they thought it was a practical joke.
"I explained that I was a veterinarian at the Denver Zoo calling about an orangutan and the person who was helping me on the phone was very polite but was like, 'I'm sorry can you repeat that?'" Dr. Kehoe said.
Drs. Maertens and Churchill, both skilled surgeons, responded to the call, addressing multiple open fractures in Hesty's hands and feet, as well as a significant wound to her left elbow. Resident Joshua Mares, MD – PGY V and hand fellow Lindsay Kosinski, MD worked on one of her hand fractures and Chris Zamora, surgical tech, and Michael Moore, lead sterile processing technician, had key roles in assisting with the surgery.
Watch highlights of the surgery and hear from the Denver Health surgeons who operated on Hesty the Orangutan in this video.
"Her foot really did act more like a hand, which is why we were comfortable taking care of it," Dr. Churchill noted, comparing the procedure to those performed on humans.
Throughout the surgery, Dr. Kehoe provided species-specific insights, ensuring comprehensive care for Hesty.
"It went seamlessly. It went very smooth," Dr. Kehoe said of the successful outcome.
Following the operation, Hesty's recovery progress was closely monitored at the zoo, where Drs. Maertens and Kehoe observed positive signs.
"It's hard to tell if she's just protecting it or what. But her elbow looks awesome," Dr. Maertens remarked during a recent post-surgery checkup.
The collaborative effort between Denver Health and the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance has provided Hesty with optimal conditions for healing, aiming for her eventual return to full health and function.