Tag Archives: orthopedic surgery

Dr. Alberto Martinez, Sports Medicine/ Orthopedic surgeon

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Dr. Martinez (right) in the operating room

(Out of respect for patient privacy – I’ve done my best to crop the patient ‘bits’ from the photo.)

Spent some time last week with Dr. Alberto Martinez of Med-Sports Orthopedic Clinic here in Bogotá.  Dr. Martinez specializes in arthroscopic surgery of the hips, knees and shoulders.   As we talked about before, shoulder surgery is its own subspecialty in orthopedics due to the increased complexity of this joint.

We talked a bit about hip arthroscopy,which is still a relatively new procedure in orthopedics and the fact that one two surgeons in Bogota are currently performing this procedure.

Arthroscopy is the orthopedic minimally invasive counterpart to general surgery’s laparoscopy or thoracic surgery’s thoracoscopy.  It involves insertion of a camera and several tools through small (1 cm) incisions in the skin.  Arthroscopy itself has been used in orthopedics for many years but it is just now making inroads in hip procedures.

I’ll be publishing an upcoming article based on my observations over at ColombiaReports.com

For more information

Rath E, Tsvieli O, Levy O. (2012).  Hip arthroscopy: an emerging technique and indications.  Isr Med Assoc J. 2012 Mar;14(3):170-4.

Haviv B, O’Donnell J. (2010). The incidence of total hip arthroplasty after hip arthroscopy in osteoarthritic patients.  Sports Med Arthrosc Rehabil Ther Technol. 2010 Jul 29;2:18

The authors found that 16% of patients in their study eventually required hip replacement after hip arthroscopy during seven years follow-up.

Nord RM, Meislin RJ. (2010).  Hip arthroscopy in adults.  Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis. 2010;68(2):97-102. Review.

Back in the OR with Dr. Sergio Abello

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Clinica Shaio

Spent part of yesterday back in the operating room with Dr. Sergio Abello.  Dr. Abello is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle surgery.  (He also have a specialized computer system in his office for truly customized orthodics).

Dr. Sergio Abello de Castro, Foot & Ankle Center 

It  was a chance meeting in the hallway, but as always, with the gracious and genial surgeon – it led to the operating room.  He apologized, “it’s just a small case,” but everything went perfectly.

Dr. Sergio Abello (right) with orthopedic resident, Dr. Juan Manuel Munoz

 

Patient was prepped and draped in sterile fashion, with no breaks in sterile technique.  Case proceeded rapidly (previous surgical pins removed).

The was no bleeding or other complications.

Yvonne (left), surgical nurse

Anesthesia was managed beautifully by Claudia Marroqoon, RN – with a surgical apgar of 10.  The patient received conscious sedation and appeared comfortable during the procedure.  There was no hemodynamic instability or hypoxia.  Oxygen saturation 100% for the entire duration of the case.

Thank you, Dr. Francisco Cabal

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I would like to thank Dr. Francisco Cabal – an orthopedic surgeon and director of Clinica del Country/ Hospital de la Mujer.  A few nights ago, a Colombian friend was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident – and the worried family asked me for help, so I called Dr. Cabal.

He was absolutely fantastic in making sure the family was up-to-date on the status of their loved one while she was in surgery, addressing all of their concerns and helping to relieve some of their anxiety.

I wanted to be sure to thank him on this (semi-public) forum, because I want readers to realize that medicine here is very different from the United States, in that  – most often, if you ask for help; people will go out of their way to provide it.  (I suspect given the time of day when I contacted Dr. Cabal – he was probably enjoying a nice supper or time with his family) but he had information for the family in just a few minutes..

Sometimes, at home, (the USA),  there is a barrier, or ‘gatekeeping’ that keeps us from our providers – and can make situations like this more difficult.  But here in Colombia, as I’ve said before – the doctors give you their cell phone numbers and emails because they want you to call if you have questions or concerns..

And when you do call – you are getting their personal phones, so you won’t be routed to a secretary or left on hold for twenty minutes.. [the only exception is during surgery].

Does this privilege get abused at times?  Certainly, which is what makes it more impressive that these doctors stay accessible to their patients.  [We’ve all  encountered obnoxious customers in all lines of work – medicine and health in no exception.]

Images of Surgery in Colombia

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I have published several Images of Surgery in Colombia to the web to give outsiders a glimpse into the operating rooms here in Bogota.  But since Yahoo! has overhauled their site – I will publish images here for readers, including photos from some of my other travels (Mexico, Medellin).

However, please do not use/ copy/ alter these images without my express written permission.  (All photos by K. Eckland)

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The Department of Orthopedics at Clinica San Rafael

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Dr. Victor Lizcano, Chief of Orthopedics

Spent the day with several surgeons from the Department of Orthopedics at Clinica San Rafael – which has a city-wide reputation for excellence.

Dr. Victor Lizcano, MD is the charming Chief of Orthopedics who opened his busy, 11 surgeon department to me. I watched surgeries, talked to patients, reviewed films, and interviewed the surgeons in his department, with free rein.

Orthopedics surgical team; two instrumentadors and 4th year resident (center)

Dr. Maria Angela Gomez, MD, a busy surgeon who nevertheless took the time to talk to me; manages dual practices; both as a plastic surgeon (at Clinica de Marly) and an orthopedic (hand) surgeon. She’s currently involved in a very interesting research project – tell you more about it later… A very fascinating lady.

Dr. Martha Pincon, MD an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery, also a very interesting and enjoyable surgeon.

Dr. Martha Pincon, during a complex case at Clinica San Rafael

There’s a lot more to tell – but I have another interview in a few minutes..

In the OR with Dr. Mauricio Largacha, Orthopedic Surgeon

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The rest of Bogota may be quiet for the Easter holidays (la semana santa) but the operating rooms were busy at Unidad Medica Cecimin.

Dr. Mauricio Largacha, Shoulder and Elbow surgeon

I spent an interesting and enjoyable morning in the operating room with Dr. Mauricio Largacha, MD for an arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. Dr. Largacha is a natural teacher, and did an excellent job at explaining different aspects of the procedure, expected post operative outcomes, and specialized equipment – since I am less familiar with shoulder and elbow surgery than other surgical procedures. (Unsurprising since as I mentioned previously, he is an expert in this area, and the author of several chapters in multiple orthopedic surgery textbooks on elbow, shoulder and ankle surgery).

Dr. Mauricio Largacha (left) and author

Surgery went beautifully, and surprisingly quick.. No intraoperative complications.

Dr. Mauricio Largacha, orthopedic surgeon

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Dr. Mauricio Largacha is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery including arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair and joint replacement.  I’ll be following him to the operating room this weekend – so check back in for more details..

For readers unfamiliar with orthopedic surgery – ankle and shoulder joint surgeries are a particular sub-specialty only practiced by a few orthopedic surgeons.  Luckily for readers here – Dr. Largacha is the author of several of the most heavily used textbooks (and chapters in American medical textbooks) on both ankle and shoulder surgery.

New article at Colombia Reports.com

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Bogota’s Hottest Young Surgeons is my latest article on Colombia Reports – talking about some of the great young surgeons here in the capital;

1. Dr. Juan Pablo Umana (cardiac surgeon)

2/3. Dr. Ivan Santos and Dr. Freddy Sanabria, (plastic surgeons)

4. Dr. Costanza Moreno (orthopedics)

5.  Dr. Juan Carlos Garzon (thoracic surgeon) and

6. Dr. Jose Felix Castro (general surgeon)

and some of the things they are doing (which all of my loyal readers already know all about!)

It was a different style of writing than I am used to – but I enjoyed it, and hope to do another article in the future.

Update: After getting a few requests – I’ve re-posted the article here.  (But, I’d appreciate it if you went to Colombia Reports anyway, so the editors can know how many people are reading the articles – and hope that they will publish more in the future!)

From Colombia Reports.com

Bogota’s Hottest Young Surgeons
Don’t let their youth fool you. These young Bogota surgeons are well versed in the latest technologies and the newest surgical techniques, and are changing the face of, and bringing new sophistication to the capital’s medical community.

Colombia news - docDr. Juan Pablo Umana, 46, Cardiac surgeon

A Bogota native, Dr. Juan Pablo Umana, with his Stanford education, quintessential rugged good looks and a refreshing outlook, brings a California flavor to Fundacion Cardioinfantil, where he has been the Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery since 2004.  He, along with Dr. Nestor Sandoval have ushered in a new era of Cardiac Surgery in Bogota with a expanding and state-of-the-art cardiac surgery service line.  Notably, in 1997, Dr. Umana along with Dr. Memhet Oz invented the first mitral clip for percutaneous valve repair. During surgery, he is focused, meticulous and unflappable.  Despite being the most senior of the surgeons listed here, he is just hitting his stride.

Colombia news - doc

Dr. Ivan Adolfo Santos, 41, Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Ivan Santos operates at Clinica Shaio, and is one of a trio of celebrity plastic surgeons here in Bogota. Genetically blessed, he looks ten years younger than his 41 years. In spite of his boyish good looks and shy nature, Dr. Santos is a confident and talented surgeon; more importantly, he gets results. Watching Dr. Santos operate is similar to watching a symphony conductor orchestrate classic music composures with 160 musicians. He never misses a beat, and he is simultaneously aware of everything around him. With his precision in the operating room and aggressive post-operative therapies, patients recover faster, with less pain, and leave his office looking and feeling their best.

Colombia news - doc

Dra. Constanza Moreno Serrano, 40, Orthopedic Surgeon

Dra. Constanza Moreno is orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and microsurgery such as digital reattachment after traumatic injury, reconstructive surgery and correction of congenital deformities. After training with the famed Dr. Harold Kleinert and Dr. Breidenbach III in Louisville, Kentucky, she returned to Bogota in 2005.  She is currently developing a hand transplant program for victims of landmines. Next week, she is presenting her proposal at the International Hand and Composite Tissue Allotransplantation Society in Atlanta, Georgia.

Colombia news - doc

Dr. Juan Carlos Garzon, 39, Thoracic Surgeon

Dr. Juan Carlos Garzon is a man of action; operating at several facilities across Bogota. Trained in Hong Kong, Dr. Garzon excels at the more difficult thoracic cases. As one of just a few board-certified thoracic surgeons in Colombia, he is using video-assisted thoracoscopy to able to treat complex disease with minimal incisions.  He is also teaching this technique to surgeons across Colombia. During cases, he is relaxed, controlled and ready for anything.

Colombia news - doc

Dr. Freddy Sanabria S., 38, Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Freddy Sanabria, a young Richard Gere look-a-like, makes his own pretty women as one-half of the Sanabria plastic surgery practice. Trained at the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University, he brings skill, dedication and the latest cosmetic innovations to a well-established surgical clinic. While operating, he is confident, focused and detail oriented, and his surgical team anticipates his every need.

Colombia news - doc

Dr. Jose Felix Castro, 37, General Surgeon

Dr. Jose Felix Castro is a staff surgeon at Clinica del Country. This magna cum laude academic scholar is one of a few of the talented young general surgeons in Bogota who have embraced single port laparoscopy, which means abdominal surgery without a scar. While Dr. Castro is the youngest of our line up, he brings a wealth of experience to the operating room.

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Upcoming week: more thoracics!

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It’s good to be back in Bogota!  Now, if only I could line up all my appointments as easily.

I had anticipated more neurosurgery this week, but with the big neurosurgery conference in Mexico, it’s not turning out that way.  So far, it looks like it’s going to be more of a Thoracic surgery week – with some orthopedic surgery and general surgery mixed in..

I’m going to see Dr. Osorio again, at the hospital in Chia this time, (if I can find it…)

I’m hoping to meet with Dr. Stella Martinez too.. I’ve heard a lot of great things about her from several of her colleagues, so I am really looking forward to it.

I’m still trying to arrange a meeting with Dr. Jimenez sometime this week – so I will keep you updated with how that turns out..

Tomorrow, I’m interviewing Dr. Klaus Mieth, an orthopedic surgeon – and I am hoping to catch up with Dr. Roosevelt Fajardo, (general surgeon) over at Santa Fe de , to get together later this week..

There are a few other physicians, I am still hoping to hear back from – so we’ll see how the week unfolds.

Update: 6 April 2011

Met with Dr. Klaus Mieth yesterday – interesting gentleman; speaks three languages; english, german and spanish.. Works full time as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee procedures – but also serves as the Director of the largest (and non-profit too) bone and tissue bank in Colombia..

Dr. Constanza Moreno Serrano, Hand & Microsurgeon

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Dra. Constanza Moreno is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and microsurgery.  She specializes in the treatment of traumatic injuries such as digital and limb re-attachment, reconstructive surgery and correction of congenital deformities.  Next week she is traveling to Atlanta, Georgia to give a presentation at the International Hand and Composite Tissue Allotransplantation Society on the Hand Transplant Program she is developing at Santa Fe de Bogota.  Her aim is to restore limbs (and functionality) to the lives of Colombians affected by landmines. 

I hope to follow her to the operating room when she returns.. Look for more exciting news from this gracious physician in the future..

Colombia and Landmines

21 April 2011 – since I originally posted, I’ve received a lot of questions about hand tranplantation.. Here’s a Yahoo article discussing a recent hand transplant.

Writing, writing, writing

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Spending the day (and much of the weekend) writing, transcribing notes from recent interviews, and working on an upcoming article. The article is a bit of a departure from my previous work, being a bit more light-hearted, and less academic than my previous writing. Hopefully, this will give it a broader appeal.   It’s also a nice way to call attention to some of the newer technologies, and techniques I’ve seen, and share a bit of the spotlight with the people doing all the hard work. (These guys don’t blow their own horns much – even when it’s well-deserved.) 

I have a few more interviews to conduct next week before I can finish it.. I am enjoying the change of style, but I will be happy to revert back to my usual writing.

Hoping to catch up with some more orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, and just a few more thoracic surgeons in the next few weeks..(see my ‘Chasing Thoracics’ blog for more information).

Looks like the book cover is pretty much done – you can see it under the ‘book’ tab.  I find that completing the artwork helps keep me focused on the book, especially once I’ve past the mid-point..

cardioinfantil

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at Cardioinfantil

Another morning in the operating room theater at Cardioinfantil.. Always great to watch Dr. Garzon at work – smooth and effortless, every time.

Spent this afternoon interviewing a general surgeon, Dr. Joaquin Guerra Nino over at Clinica de la Mujer..

More time in the OR tomorrow with Dr. Cabal with interviews in the afternoon..
Finished a tenative cover design for the new book.. Going to get some feedback, and then I’ll post it for your review..

To the OR with Dr. Abello, Orthopedics

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Going to the OR today with Dr.  Sergio Abello, the Foot and Ankle surgeon I mentioned previously. He has six cases today, so it will be a full day. It’s several different procedures, so it should be pretty interesting – and a change from what I’ve been seeing for the last few weeks..

Dr. Sergio Abello, prior to ankle arthroscopy case

 

Met with Dr. Alfredo Hoyos, Plastic Surgeon yesterday – despite his over-the-top website, he seemed pretty down to earth. I’ll be going to the operating room with him at the Santa Barbara Surgical Center on Thursday. He’s actually a pretty interesting guy, and I am really interested in seeing the sculpting liposuction.

Tried to chase down Dr. Camilo Prieto and Dr. Alan Gonzalez yesterday. I heard Dr. Gonzalez is getting married this weekend – so I’ll give him a bit of a pass – I’m guessing his life is probably pretty hectic right now, (so we’ll come back to him later).

Stopped in at Dr. Prieto’s office, hoping to catch him, since my messages haven’t gotten a response – and got stuck leaving another message, but we’ll see if we get any response. I hate to give up – he’s one of the most popular plastic surgeons down here, and well advertised on the internet – so I think he should definitely be included.. But I can’t make people talk to me, so if I don’t get a response this time, I may have to reconsider.

Haven’t gotten anything booked for Saturday, but I am still working on it – I hate to miss any day when the ORs are running..

(center) with nurses at Shaio

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I apologize to all the great doctors who gave me their time and effort – but didn’t make it on the web page (don’t worry, they will be in the book!)

Dr. Sergio Abello and Dr. Felipe Roa

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Met with Dr. Sergio Abello, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery and Dr. Felipe Roa, plastic surgeon.. Dr. Roa is the son of Dr. Tito Roa, and they share a practice..

Planning to follow both of them to the OR tomorrow and next week..