Hospital del Nino Bustamante's First Pediatric Open Heart Surgery

Kenny's Successful Surgery

Kenny who is 4 years and 9 months successfully had open heart surgery where his Atrial Septal Defect was closed with sutures.  Dr. Gilbert performed the three hour surgery that was also the first pediatric open heart surgery at this hospital.

Frank & Erin Consulting Before Surgery

Kenny's Mother

Kenny's heart challenge was that he not only had an Atrial Septal Defect he had a left Superior Vena Cava.  To treat Kenny, Dr. Gilbert closed the Atrial Septal Defect with sutures allowing for oxygenated blood to flow into the left ventricle.

Kenny is from Cantonoboro, Ecuador. Cantonoboro is an hour and a half away from Guayaquil.  His mother accompanied him, and waited patiently in the hallway as the medical team operated.

Kenny's Story

Kenny hours after surgery

Kenny was diagnosed when he was 9 months old and was recommended to see a cardiologist that diagnosed him with tachycardia. However, when he came to Hospital del Nino Bustamante he was diagnosed with a heart murmur and was prescribed medication that did not help.  In May 2010 Kenny learned that  surgery was the only option to correct his condition. Kenny's mother learned about our medical team on TV and during the May surgical mission,  it was determined that Kenny's surgery required additional time and that he would be put on the wait list for the August mission.  His mom told us that she was surprised when she learned only on Sunday that Kenny would be operated on Monday--the first patient for this mission.

Kenny's Outcome

Kenny Blowing Bubbles

This morning, two days after surgery, Kenny was well on his way to recovery, eating and even walking.  His mom fed him solid food, and he even gave our intern, Julia Terk, a small picture--this made her day.

Kenny should be heading home, back to Cantonoboro in the next couple days.  Check back with us to find out about his progress. . .