For two weeks, Dr. Schuhmann operated alongside a German-Swiss team in Bangalore. The BILD report shows how aesthetic expertise translates into genuine reconstructive surgery – and why hundreds of patients wait for this help every year.
From Emergency to Opportunity
In India, open fires, electrical accidents, and acid attacks cause severe burns. Without surgery, hands and joints stiffen, and children are unable to grasp or walk. Skin grafts, Z-plasties, and tendon transfers restore mobility.
Teamwork on the Ground
Eight surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre nurses, and local partners work hand in hand. While one group operates, another team prepares the next cohort of patients. Equipment and instruments travel in the team's luggage – resourceful improvisation, yet maintaining clinical hygiene standards.
Figures & Results
76 procedures in 14 days, including around 40 scar and hand reconstructions as well as 15 cleft lip and palate repairs. Each operation means a new life free from pain, greater independence – and often the opportunity to return to school or work.
Long-Term Support
The mission does not end with departure. Follow-up appointments, digital communication with local doctors, and fundraising initiatives ensure long-term sustainability. The team revisits many patients during subsequent missions to assess progress or carry out refinements.
