There are two neurosurgical training programs in Guatemala City, one at Hospital San Juan de Dios and the other at Hospital Roosevelt. Both hospitals are large public hospitals and associated with University of San Carlos, Medical School as its teaching hospitals. Both training programs are independent, new five year programs, and graduated the first residents in 2003.
Neurosurgical Training Program at Hospital San Juan de Dios:
Hospital San Juan de Dios is a large, 600 beds general hospital. The neurosurgery department has 32 adult beds and 20 pediatric beds. There are 18 adult ICU beds which are shared by other departments. The Chief of Neurosurgery is Dr. Miguel Romero Padilla. There are four faculty members and currently three residents. There are 14 operating rooms, and one room is assigned to neurosurgery. They have two operating microscopes, a new Zeiss NC4 equipped with a camera and TV monitor, and a Leica operating microscope with assistant scope. They have a Midas Rex, but craniotomies are usually done by Gigli saw due to a lack of nitrogen gas. They purchased a Storz neuroendoscope system, but no one has had experience in endoscopy. A FIENS volunteer to instruct endoscopy use will be very helpful. The x-ray department has a CT scan and an angiographic equipment. There is no MRI scanner at one of the private diagnostic centers.
Neurosurgical Training Program at Hospital Roosevelt:
Hospital Roosevelt was built by the US Government during World War II as a military evacuation hospital. After the war, the hospital was given to the Guatemalan government. The hospital is maintained by the Government and charitable contributions. The hospital was recently renovated and a new pediatric building was built. There are 25 neurosurgical beds, 12 adult ICU beds which are shared by other departments, 5 pediatric neurosurgical beds, and 12 pediatric ICU beds. The Chief of Neurosurgery is Dr. Julio Gatica. There are five faculty members. They are all young recent graduates from the training programs. Currently, there are six residents in training. One operating room is assigned to neurosurgery. There are three Leica operating microscopes equipped with an assistant scope, camera and TV monitor. The x-ray department has two CT scans, and an angiography suite.
Summary:
Hospital San Juan de Dios and Hospital Roosevelt are two major public hospitals serving over two million people and are the major neurosurgical referral centers in the country. There are many clinical cases providing a good learning opportunity for the residents. Although there are some shortcomings in educational materials, neurosurgical instruments, supplies and supervision, both hospitals are adequately equipped for the neurosurgical residency training, and have a good potential to become successful neurosurgical training programs. FIENS volunteers could play a significant role in this regards. |
