San José Unimed Hospital strengthens its UGF Cádio cardiology service to take care of people’s hearts – Photo: UGF/Disclosure

After three months of consultations with specialists in three states, the family’s journey for surgery on a rare tumor on a 12-year-old boy ended happily at Unimed Grande Florianópolis Hospital. A very complex operation involved a team of two surgeons who removed a 7.5 cm paraganglioma-type tumor adhering to the patient’s abdominal aorta for eight hours.

After bouts of malaise and high blood pressure, Paulo Jorge Matheus Berndt’s family took the boy to the emergency room in his hometown of Ponta Grossa, Parana. Examination of the boy’s state of health showed the presence of a tumor soldered to the abdominal aorta (the largest blood vessel in the body) and to the vessels that carry blood to and from the left kidney.

The complexity of the case forced the family to turn to specialists in São Paulo and Curitiba until they received a referral from surgeon Valberto Souza Jr. in Florianopolis. After a teleconsultation to present the exams, the boy, accompanied by his parents, went to Florianopolis, where the operation was scheduled for March 24th.

On the eve of the procedure, Paulo Jorge collected reserve blood in case an emergency required surgery, because in addition to the complex location, very close to important blood vessels, the tumor consisted of cells like those that we have in the adrenal glands, which can grow in locations outside of the correct location.

“These cells produce hormones such as epinephrine and noradrenaline that cause headaches in the child, excessive sweating or loss of consciousness, and the aforementioned high blood pressure, which tends to cause even more bleeding during surgery,” explains the doctor who performed the surgery. the procedure is carried out by the auxiliary surgeon Eliete Magda Colombeli, the anesthetist Luciano Madeira and the nurse Sulie Coelho.

Patient Pedro, aged 12, with his family and doctor who treated him, Dr. Walter – Photo: UGF/Disclosure

From the very beginning, Paulo Jorge’s parents believed in the success of the operation with the support of all family members who joined the chain of faith and positivity. “At the first consultation with the doctor, he gave us confidence that everything would work out, which, in fact, happened,” says mom, teacher Sunny Matheus.

The family highlights the hospitality of the Unimed hospital staff, including nurses and doctors on duty, who accompanied the boy for four days while he remained in the intensive care unit after surgery. The next stages of treatment include dispensary observation of an endocrinologist and a pediatrician in his hometown and periodic consultations with the doctor who operated on him.

“It was a very big operation, he is already walking and eating, I can only thank the whole team,” says his mother, Prof. Sunny Matheus, professor at the Ponta Grossa City Hall. “Now life goes on! We are very pleased with the result of the operation and are returning to our previous lifestyle,” says Sunny.

Handbook for children

Located in the Barreiros area of ​​San José, the Unimed Hospital is a reference in the region for children and adults with 24/7 emergency care for adults and children, specialist consultations and highly complex surgeries. In 2022, the institution purchased an innovative video surgical system that uses fluorescent technology, becoming the first in the Florianopolis region to have this device for more precise and safer surgical procedures.

Very complex procedure strengthens UGF Cádio’s cardiology service – Photo: UGF/Disclosure

Unimed Hospital Performs One of the First Physiological Pacemaker Implants in South Carolina

One of the first physiological pacemaker implants at the United Hospital of Santa Catarina united the Unimed Grande Florianópolis Hospital as a reference institution for highly complex cardiac procedures. In a procedure performed for the first time in the department, a pacemaker electrode (wire) was implanted close to the electrical conduction system of the heart, allowing the organ itself to perform stimulation in a more natural and synchronized manner.

“This technique allows patients with cardiovascular disease to restore the function of the heart, which was reduced or impaired,” explains Dr. Fernando Freiha, a doctor who specializes in cardiac arrhythmias, who performed the procedure.

The Unimed Hospital in San José is strengthening its UGF Cádio cardiology service to take care of people’s hearts. Located in the mainland region, the department handles urgent and emergency cases 24 hours a day, performs examinations and cardiac procedures, expanding the patient care offer of Unimed, other health insurance plans and individuals.

Due to its structure, UGF Cádio has established itself as a reference in the continental region for complex procedures including cardiac surgery, arrhythmia treatment and intensive care unit for safe and adequate patient care.