Doctors still looking for source of Arroyo’s post-surgical infection

MANILA, Philippines—The bacteria that developed in the neck of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was not likely to be from an allergic reaction of her body to the titanium plate which was correcting the alignment of her spine, according to her orthopedic surgeon.

Explaining to reporters during Thursday’s medical briefing on Arroyo’s condition, Dr. Mario Ver essentially discounted the possibility of the metal implant causing the infection, which derailed the reconstructive surgery on Arroyo’s cervical spine.

“Titanium implants have been used for a long time. They are supposedly inert,” said Ver. “If there are reports of rejection, these are very rare.”

As far as he could recall, Ver said, he could not remember an instance when the patient he put titanium implants in, regardless of what bone was being repaired, developed an allergy.

He pointed out that the metal was widely used in heart stents, hip replacements, and repair clips for fractured skulls, among others.

“From my experience, as far as the implants that have been used, I have no experience, neither for our department, of allergic reactions to the implant,” he said.

Arroyo’s attending physician, Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, indicated that results of cultures to identify the specific bacteria that caused Arroyo’s infection might be available by Saturday, and the medical team could have more evidence as to how the former president contracted the infection.

She said the team has been backtracking to Arroyo’s first day of admission to see if there were breaks in the protocol that could have caused the infection. The counter-checking turned out negative, she claimed.

Aside from antibiotics and complete rest, Cervantes also prescribed “some good vibes” after noticing the former president in a somber mood since being informed about her state.

Arroyo was due for a follow-up at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City on Monday when she complained of pains in her upper arms. Doctors decided to admit her subsequently, learning from X-ray imaging that the implant in the neck had been dislodged.

Surgeons brought her to the operating table the following day hoping to correct the position of the implant. But they stumbled upon an infection in the area which accelerated the weakening of Arroyo’s cervical spine.

The implant was removed, while doctors treated the infection. Arroyo was made to wear a neck brace called a halo vest to immobilize her neck and prevent compressing the nerves in the area.