Statement regarding the care of Luisa Duran

BOSTON - October 1, 2003 - Luisa Duran is the wife of Ricardo Lagos, the president of Chile. She came to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment of a narrowing of the trachea or windpipe, which caused her to have trouble breathing. At this time, it is believed that she had a condition called idiopathic subglotic stenosis, which has no known cause. It is not associated with any type of tumor.

In a surgical procedure that took about four hours, Douglas Mathisen, MD, chief of MGH General Thoracic Surgery, removed the damaged area and repaired her trachea. The procedure involved establishing an airway by first stretching the narrowed area; removing the damaged trachea, which was about an inch long; and then reconstructing the trachea by sewing the healthy ends together. It is an uncommon and delicate procedure, originally developed by Hermes Grillo, MD, Mathisen's predecessor as chief of MGH Thoracic Surgery. The MGH does more of these procedures than any other hospital in the world.

Mrs. Duran is currently in good condition, doing well, breathing comfortably and speaking with her family. It is anticipated that she will remain at the MGH for a week to 10 days.

Media Contact: Georgia Peirce, MGH Public Affairs

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