THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has successfully used advanced blood recovery technology for the first time during a high-risk emergency surgery, marking a significant step forward in the delivery of specialised healthcare services in Guyana.
The milestone was achieved on June 12 when GPHC’s Vascular Surgery Division, working in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS), utilised a Cell Saver system during the emergency repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in an 85-year-old woman.
The procedure, which lasted approximately six hours, was performed after the patient suffered a life-threatening vascular emergency that resulted in severe internal bleeding. Medical officials said the patient lost an estimated four litres of blood during surgery.
The Cell Saver system, which is widely used in advanced surgical centres internationally, collects blood lost during an operation, processes and cleans it, and then returns it to the patient. By allowing patients to receive their own blood back, the technology can reduce dependence on donor blood supplies while improving the body’s ability to recover during critical procedures.
During the operation, the system successfully returned more than 500 millilitres of the patient’s own blood, with a hematocrit level of 82 per cent, providing vital support during one of the most critical stages of the surgery.
Healthcare officials said the introduction of the technology represents more than a medical achievement, as it has the potential to improve outcomes for patients facing traumatic injuries, major surgeries and other emergencies where significant blood loss can occur.
For patients and families, the availability of such technology means greater access to advanced treatment options within Guyana, reducing the need to seek certain specialised services overseas and strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to complex medical emergencies.
The successful procedure was the result of a coordinated effort involving vascular surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, laboratory personnel and support staff, all of whom worked together to manage the challenging case.
GPHC also credited the National Blood Transfusion Services for its critical role in the operation. Special recognition was extended to NBTS Medical Director, Dr Pedro Lewis, Blood Bank Quality Manager, Kevon Spencer, and Recruitment Officer, Radha Ramdhari, whose technical support and presence throughout the procedure contributed to the successful outcome.
The achievement forms part of ongoing efforts by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation to modernise healthcare delivery and expand access to advanced medical technologies. Hospital officials said investments in specialised equipment and training are helping to strengthen emergency and surgical services while improving the quality of care available to patients across the country.
As Guyana continues to develop its healthcare system, the successful use of the Cell Saver system signals a growing capacity to provide complex, life-saving treatments locally, offering renewed hope for patients facing some of the most serious medical emergencies.
