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Jul 14, 2008 7:42 pm US/Eastern

Bloodless Surgery Clears Way For Better Care

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Fifty-six year old Robert De la Pena knew something wasn't right in his body.

"I was had high blood pressure," he said, "I was having irregular heart beats...Mood changes."

His doctors found three tumors in his abdomen, and one of them was wrapped around a major artery. The surgery would be risky--and more complicated since Mr. De La Pena is a Jehovah's Witness.

"As a Jehovah's Witness I would have to have surgery. Bloodless surgery," Mr. De La Pena said.

He's not alone. Bloodless surgery is one of the fastest growing fields in medicine--By using special techniques--doctors first expand a patient's own blood volume and use special tools to prevent blood loss.

"It's a growing trend across the country," Dr. Gabriel Alvarez says from Baptist Hospital, one of the few bloodless surgery centers in South Florida. He adds this tranfusion-free surgeries lead to fewer complications, less inflammation, better results, and quicker recoveries even during major surgeries--like cardiac bypass.

"It definitely shows better outcomes for the patients," Dr. Alvarez says.

Plus blood banks are constantly short on supply.

"Some hospitals have actually had to cancel surgery due to a lack or availability of blood and blood products," he said.

Mr. De Le Pena said he's living proof --Bloodless medicine has benefits.

"It's something that can be done," De La Pena said, "It's the wave of the future."

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If you'd like to find out more about BLOODLESS MEDICINE at Baptist Hospital Or contact

Baptist Hospital of Miami
Mercy Ruano, RN
Program Coordinator
Blood Conservation Program
8900 North kendall Drive
Miami FL 33176
Phone: (786) 596-8508
Fax: (786) 596-3676
Email: mercedir@baptisthealth.net



(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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