Top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) marked another milestone through its Pediatrics Department as they successfully discharged their youngest open heart surgery patient KK in September.
Miracle baby KK was born prematurely at 35 weeks, and was under the care of neonatologist, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Martinez, during the pandemic year 2021. Shortly after birth, he was found to have two serious medical conditions: an intestinal obstruction (duodenal atresia) and a serious cyanotic heart disease (double-outlet right ventricle with pulmonary valve atresia).
Baby KK had to first undergo abdominal surgery to relieve the intestinal obstruction, under the able hands of pediatric surgeon Dr. Lester Suntay. A few weeks later, his heart condition was addressed with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent, which was placed by the pediatric cardiology team of Dr. Dexter Eugene Cheng and Dr. Aurelia Leus. KK survived the 2 procedures and went home after over a month.
In August at 9 months of age, KK underwent open heart surgery. The procedure, specifically a bidirectional bilateral Glenn shunt, is also notably the first time for the hospital to administer.
MakatiMed’s team was composed of pediatric thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Carlo Garcia, pediatric cardiovascular anesthesiologist Dr. Abelardo Prodigalidad, and monitored by the pediatric cardiology team, headed by Dr. Dexter Eugene Cheng, and supported by pediatric cardiologists, Dr. Aurelia Leus, Dr. Ceres Canto and Dr. Kim Tolentino.
After a sensitive post-surgery period that was far from smooth sailing, and which involved KK having to be admitted in the Pediatric ICU, then ably managed by pediatric intensivists Dr. Alvin Florentino and Dr. Michael Wassmer, pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Zaida Villon, pediatric infectious disease specialist, Dr. Robert Dennis Garcia and the pediatric cardiology consultants headed by Dr. Dexter Eugene Cheng, the youngest open heart surgery patient was finally extubated, taken off various support medical equipment, and weaned off intravenous drips.
From being a blue baby pre-operatively, the 5-kg, bundle of joy now has pink lips, well-perfused skin and an adorable smile, KK will be more active physically, while enjoying more play time with his parents in the days and years to come, until he undergoes his 2nd open heart surgery before he turns 5 years of age. The careful preparation and coordinated management of MakatiMed’s experts in all aspects of his operative and post-operative care have led to the successful outcome and improved quality of life for KK.
For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.
