Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1992

rank, an innovator, a manager, someone who can apply his research findings to great common good, the common good that has changed the world of communications.' A total of seven centenary fellowships wer e established by Thames Polytechnic to mark its centenary this year. New Advancements in Surgery The Hong Kong Flap - A New Dimension in Ear Surgery The Department of Surgery has successfully developed a new technique to help sufferers of cholesteatoma, a disease which causes cells to grow abnormally in the ear and which ma y lead to deafness, brain infection and even death. While doctors have long known how to remove the tumour-like growth between the middle and inner ear, the surgery wil l leave a cavity where dirt and unnatural discharge may accumulate and cause further hearing impairment. Doctors have tried for years using a lot of artificial materials to repair the ear, but without much success. Surgeons from the Department of Surgery have recently discovered a delicate piece of tissue close to the ear which is ideal for repairing the cavity. The tissue has its own bloo d supply network. By keeping the network intact, doctors ar e able to use it to cover the hole, giving the woun d a good surface to heal. Over the past five years, more than 130 such operations have been performed at the Prince of Wales Hospital, with a success rate of 98 per cent. The surgery has been highly commended by internationally renowned ear surgeons and as the reconstructive technique is developed locally, it ha s been named after the territory as the ‘Hong Kong Flap'. Laser for Eye Surgery The Eye Unit at the University's Departmen t of Surgery has been chosen as one of the world's first cli ical centres to conduct research into eye surgery for myopia (nearsightedness) using the Yag laser system. The use of laser in the treatment of myopia is a recent development. The first generation o f such laser is the extremely powerful 'excimer' laser, the use of which is still being strictly monitored. The University's Eye Unit w i ll embark on research into the second generation of laser for treating myopia: Nd:YAG laser. Such laser utilizes crystals to produce green laser light, a safer frequency for operating inside the human eye. When coupled with a unique automated tracking mechanism, it wil l enable the eye surgeon to perform surgery at the cellular level. The new system can obviate many of th e shortcomings of the excimer laser system, and may also provide the means to correct cataracts, chronic glaucoma and other previously untreatable eye disorders. The Nd:YAG laser was manufactured by the Phoenix Laser Systems at California, which has chosen the University's Eye Unit to conduct tests on animals first to assess the efficacy and the side effects of the new system. No clinica l trials on humans will begin until results of such tests have proved to be satisfactory. HKIB Formally Opened The newly completed building complex by the side of Tolo Harbour which houses the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology (HKIB) was formally opened by the Hon. Si r David Ford on 25th February 1992. Other officiating guests included Mr. David Gairns, Steward o f the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club; Sir Quo-wei Lee, chairman of the Council of The Chinese University; Prof . Charles K. Kao, chairman o f the Board of Directors of HKIB NEWS 19