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WHENYOURFAVORITE
SUPERHERO’S
FALL
SHORT
FLY TO
METHODIST
BoerneHealth.comMethodistHealthcareSanAntonio
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OUR
ER
DOCTORS ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED
TOCORRECT POWER FAILURES.
Since 2008, the emergency medical care staff at Methodist Boerne Emergency
Center has served local families and children. In collaboration with the pediatric
doctors at Methodist Children’s Hospital, we offer the best in pediatric emergency
medicine. So if your child has a life-threatening injury or illness and requires
emergency treatment—ensure their care to the ER staff at Methodist—the most
trusted name in health care with the most preferred physicians and nurses.
When every minute counts, our superheroes are here to help yours.
POWERS
METHODIST
CHILDREN’S
HOSPITAL OFFERS
BLOODLESS
SURGERY
ONE WEEK AFTER
she
was born, Kaylee Mora
was diagnosed with
Tetralogy of Fallot with
pulmonary atresia, a rare
and complex combination
of heart defects present
at birth. Doctors told her
parents that without an
operation, Kaylee only
had about one month to
live.
As Jehovah’s Witnesses,
the Moras cannot accept
blood transfusions, so
they began looking for a
bloodless surgery option
for Kaylee.
“We were having
a hard time finding
someone to perform the
surgery,” said Mrs. Mora.
They had just moved
from Pharr, Texas, to San
Antonio, and their knowledge of the city and medical resources was
limited.
Fortunately, the Hospital Liaison Committee, a standing committee
of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, provided them with a list of medical profes-
sionals who are willing to consult with families when pediatric blood-
less surgery is requested. They were referred to
John Kupferschmid,
M.D.,
one of the few surgeons in San Antonio performing this type of
surgery, and
Mary Porisch, M.D.,
pediatric cardiologist. Dr. Kupfer-
schmid performs the surgery at Methodist Children’s Hospital.
“Kaylee did not have a true pulmonary artery, so we had to build
one for her and connect it to her heart,” said Dr. Kupferschmid. “It’s a
complex procedure that is performed only about three to five times a
year.” The operation lasted over six hours, and Kaylee was in the hos-
pital for more than a week.
Dr. Kupferschmid has been performing pediatric bloodless surgery
for 20 years. “It’s a rigid protocol, and we work closely with the family
to do what is right for the child,” he said.
WHAT IS BLOODLESS SURGERY?
In addition to choosing blood-
less surgery to observe religious beliefs, many individuals turn to
bloodless surgery to avoid the risk of blood-borne complications and
diseases such as hepatitis or HIV that often are associated with blood
transfusions. In bloodless surgery, the patient’s own blood is saved
and re-infused. Medications are used to boost blood production and
improve clotting, and surgical techniques are used to minimize blood
loss.
“She came through the surgery beautifully, and she is doing very
well,” said Mrs. Mora.
Rogelio and Brisasclarin Mora chose
bloodless surgery for their daughter
Kaylee.
K E E P I N G
W E L L
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