August 25, 2006

Patient reconnects with the MGH

As the director of the newly-created MGH Office for Visitor Education Programs (VEP), Michelle "Shelly" Riley is accustomed to sharing with visitors all that the MGH has to offer. Some of the most popular tours she conducts include the Emergency Department, MassGeneral Hospital for Children and an MGH history tour. Recently, Riley (seen at left with Assad and Grillo) had the opportunity to lead a tour of a different kind, helping former patient Ana Laura Assad of Victoria, Mexico, reconnect with the doctor and the hospital that gave her back her life 30 years ago.

In 1976, Assad was a 27-year-old mother who had recently given birth to her third son by Caesarean section. While she was in the hospital in Mexico recuperating from the surgery, she developed peritonitis, an inflammation of the membrane that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the abdominal organs. Left untreated, the condition can be life-threatening. Assad's case was particularly severe — she was in a coma for one month and received a tracheostomy tube to help her breathe. Unfortunately, Assad's medical nightmare only worsened. When one of her health care providers attempted to remove the tube, her trachea was damaged. She then had a second tracheostomy, which made speech impossible.

As Assad's family grappled with their options, her cousin — who was also a doctor — insisted that she be brought to the MGH. Hermes Grillo, MD, chief of the MGH Department of Thoracic Surgery at the time, had developed new techniques for rebuilding a severely damaged windpipe in the late 1960s. In a complex surgery, Grillo removed five centimeters of Assad's scarred trachea, and then filled in the gap by pulling up her bronchial tubes and pulling down her larynx. The procedure not only restored her voice, but it returned her to the healthy and vibrant life she once knew.

While Assad has been completely healthy in the three decades since her surgery, she never forgot Grillo or the MGH. "I have always wanted to come back here," says Assad. "I wanted to see the hospital again and talk to Dr. Grillo. He gave me back my voice and my good health." This past July, her wish was granted. Assad's much-anticipated visit began with a one-on-one tour led by Riley and included stops at the Chapel, the Ether Dome and the site of the former Baker Building, where Assad had stayed while at the MGH. Then, in an emotional reunion, Assad once again got the chance to speak with Grillo, who welcomed her back to the MGH and shared details about her complicated surgery.

In addition to customized tours like Assad's, the VEP Office has a number of
pre-planned tours available and also can coordinate observerships, training and
seminars. For more information, call Riley at (617) 726-8363 or visit
www.massgeneral.org/vep.