Arthroscopic Equipment

The Philippine General Hospital Receives New Arthroscopic Equipment

Dr. Luz Racela receives a certificate of appreciation from Dr. Agcaoili, Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics, PGH.
As part of a relief mission to the Philippines in November of last year, The Philippine General Hospital was gifted a new and complete arthroscopy unit. The donation was made by The Medical Missions Foundation. The Foundation, started by Tony Racela, M.D. �63 and his wife Luz Salonga-Racela M.D. �63, provides medical relief to children and the elderly in countries where such services are not widely available. Foundation team members have traveled to the Philippines twice in the last four years, and plan to go again in the future.

The arthroscopy unit is an advanced medical tool used in non invasive surgery. With its computer controls, remote probes, lights, and a miniature video camera, the unit allows a surgeon to see inside a patient�s body and perform procedures through small, multiple incisions. The surgeon sees everything on a large video monitor while operating.

In addition to the actual unit, The Medical Missions Foundation purchased the necessary components and supplies, and brought a bioengineer to the PGH to set up the high-tech equipment. The value of the equipment and supplies exceeds $85,000.

Mission member Dr. John Romito arranged the unit�s donation from the Linvatech Corporation, through Mr. Dennis Treacy in Kansas City.

As of January of this year, five patients have been treated with the equipment.

Dr. Romito will return to PGH in May, as a guest of the Department of Orthopedics, where he will provide lectures and workshops on arthroscopy. His trip is being sponsored by The Medical Missions Foundation. All orthopedic alumni are invited to �adopt� the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at The Philippine General Hospital to help develop and expand the facility. 1

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws