First open-heart surgery at VSMMC

CEBU, Philippines - An open heart surgery will be conducted for the first time at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) this Tuesday with a 13-year-old pediatric male patient.

VSMMC Medical Chief Gerardo Aquino said the patient has Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), an abnormality of the atria or the upper chambers of the heart wherein the wall between the right and left atria does not close completely.

“VSMMC considers this event as another milestone in the quest for excellence in providing tertiary health care services to its patients, especially those coming from the marginalized sector of our society,” Aquino said.

The procedure is time-consuming and requires specialized treatment from cardiologists, Aquino added.

He said that ASD may not require treatment if there are few or no symptoms, or if the defect is small. Surgical closure of the defect is recommended if the defect is large, the heart is swollen or symptoms occur.

Aquino said the hospital takes pride in being chosen as one of the medical centers to implement the project mandated by the Department of Health which is the Development of Subspecialty Capabilities for Heart-Lung –Kidney in selected regional Hospitals in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The project was turned over to the Philippine Government on December 9, 2011.

Hospital beneficiaries include the Philippine Health Center in Metro Manila, the Davao Medical Center and the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City, and the Bicol Regional Training and Health Center. 

The project would provide patients in Metro Cebu and its neighboring provinces greater access to world-class health care services, with very specialized diagnostic intervention, at affordable cost. 

VSMMC is the fourth in Cebu that has the capability to diagnose coronary artery diseases other than the Perpetual Succour Hospital, Cebu Doctors Hospital and Chong Hua Hospital. 

The VSMMC has an average of 850 patients daily, with two to three patients sharing one bed in some wards.

Aside from cardiac surgery, the hospital also offers renal transplant, organ transplant, orthopedic procedures and neurosurgery services, among others.

“Patients who need heart surgery may now have an option for a care and management that is affordable but world-class here in VSMMC,” Aquino said.  (FREEMAN)