Rosarita

Rosarita has a hereditary condition that causes her spleen to enlarge, even to the point where it became a risk for rupturing.  In the United States, she would have received immediate surgery, but because of her family’s financial situation, they had to save for two years before she could undergo surgery.  Her family was told the surgery would need to be done through a very large incision, she would be in the intensive care unit for 3-4 days, and in the hospital for three weeks.  By the time she came to the hospital, her spleen was so enlarged she could not sit or lie down, and was having some difficulties breathing.  Fortunately, we were there to teach and provide both ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia blocks, and Dr. Nathan Richards worked with his colleagues to perform the surgery laparoscopically through three 2 cm incisions. Rosarita was discharged  24-hours after surgery, and required only two Tylenol!