The Philippines’ Best Hospitals MakatiMed offers innovative procedures to fight growth in neurological illnesses

or reconstitute blood flow to the blood vessels of the brain. This procedure usually utilizes a blood vessel coming from the scalp or blood vessels from the brain itself and is sewn together to the blood vessels in the brain.

A gain, this procedure is not for everyone. Dr. Guillermo Victorno T. Liabres, a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon, said the procedure is for those who suffer from recurrent strokes despite the best medical therapy and conditions aggravated by hypotension, among others.

The goal of this bypass surgery is to prevent future stroke and patients will have to undergo perfusion CT scan and cerebral angiogram to determine who is the best candidate for cerebral bypass surgery,” he said, adding that he has performed 21 bypass procedures and all patients have recovered.

A s for MakatiMed’s SRS

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Th is procedure, called awake craniotomy, is just one of the neurological services that Makati Medical Center now offers because of the seriousness of the illnesses associated with it.

At a press briefing, Dr. Saturnino P. Javier, Medical Director of Makati Medical Center, pointed out that the hospital is zeroing in on five important domains which he termed CONGO, namely Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Gastroenterology and Orthopedic Surgery.

We have embraced the Neurology thrusts because of the seriousness of the illnesses associated with it,” Dr. Javier noted. “From 2021 to the first half of 2022, the number one cause of death is cardiovascular diseases followed by cerebrovascular diseases. The causes of cardiovascular diseases are the same as those for cerebrovascular diseases. They are intertwined. The number 3 cause of death is cancer.”

Stroke mortality

DR. Javier added that the mortality from stroke during the last 10 years remains high with an average of 63,804 deaths per year. In 2021, the recorded annual Philippine stroke death was at 68,180, an increase from the 64,381 recorded in 2020.

Factors that could contribute to this include the low number of neurologists, inadequate CT scan machines, lack of stroke training among health workers, lack of stroke protocols and pathways and low awareness about the disease, among others.

To address this growing number of neurological health issues, MakatiMed presented a number of world-class neurological procedures that are available in the country such as awake craniotomy surgery for brain tumor patients, cerebral bypass surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Filipinos only stand to benefit from innovations in neurological care. New and improved procedures make the recovery process easier for the increasing number of Filipinos with neurological disorders,” Dr. Javier said. “It’s hard to understate the importance of a sound neurological condition given its impact on cognitive functions which directly shapes your quality of life.”

Highly specialized procedure

SINCE 2018, MakatiMed has offered awake craniotomy surgery which is a highly specialized surgical technique that offers a safer and more effective approach to brain tumor removal while reducing the risk of neurologic deficit.

The procedure targets parts of the brain controlling speech and motor function,” explained Dr. Michael Sabalza, head of the Neurosurgery Section at MakatiMed. “Not only does it minimize risks, but our team also offers postoperative care to ensure patients get back to their regular lives easily.”

Dr. Sabalza explained though that the procedure is not for everyone. A potential candidate from this procedure has to be thoroughly assessed by a clinical psychologist to ensure that the patient can withstand the demands of the procedure.

“If you are panicky or if you are obese, you might not be a good candidate for this procedure because you have to be awake and be able to follow instructions. What is good about this procedure is that no anesthesia is involved, and you do not need to recover at the ICU. This translates into shorter hospital stay.”

Restore blood flow

CEREBRAL bypass surgery, on the other hand, is a procedure that aims to restore program, the hospital is more than willing to share new innovations with other local hospitals. Hospitals in the Metro Pacific Health network (which MakatiMed is a part of) receive collaborative care from MakatiMed for SRS. These collaborations extend the efficacy of SRS to thousands of patients across the Philippines, guaranteeing better treatment and recovery well beyond its immediate scope.

From the consistently high success rates of its pioneering neurosurgical procedures to the decades-long experience and expertise of its doctors, MakatiMed demonstrates that world-class care can be found at home. “Cases of neurological disorders are on the rise, and that means doctors and hospitals must be able to adapt and evolve,” Dr. Javier declares. “Though it won’t be easy, it is a challenge we certainly welcome.”