Consuelo Tristána 74 -year -old woman who suffered a serious fall in her home, became the first patient of the hospital II Luis Negreiros Vega to receive a “bionic shoulder”, thanks to a surgical intervention carried out by the Nosocomio traumatology team, belonging to EsSalud.
The patient entered by emergency after presenting an osteoporotic fracture of the humerus, a type of injury that frequently affects older adults due to the progressive weakening of the bones. In this case, it was multiple fragments that made any attempt of traditional reconstruction with plates and screws unfeasible.
The medical team evaluated the complexity of the case and ruled out the possibility of conventional surgery. The viable alternative was the implementation of a reverse prosthesis, a technology used internationally in situations where traditional methods do not ensure functional recovery.
The prosthesis used in the operation was specially imported from USA and represents one of the most modern models available in the world. The procedure was in charge of the Hospital Traumatologists team, led by Dr. Christian Iturria, and coordinated by Dr. Víctor Bolívar, head of the Traumatology Service.
The implant was designed to allow patients with complex fractures such as Consuelo to recover mobility and functionality in the affected arm. This type of prosthesis has a different configuration to the conventional ones: it invests the relationship between the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity of the shoulder one, allowing the deltoid to assume functions that the rotator sleeve normally performs.
The surgery was carried out without complications and the patient responded positively to Postoperative treatment. In the following weeks, it began its rehabilitation process to gradually recover the strength and movement of the arm.
Tristan, who is dedicated to domestic work and the care of his grandchildren, was discharged after a favorable evolution. He managed to recover the mobility of the arm and return to his daily activities, which represents a significant improvement in his quality of life after the accident.
The case has been qualified by medical staff as one of the most representative of the year, due to the level of complexity and the use of a state -of -the -art prosthesis. This type of interventions is generally available only in specialized hospitals, which shows the technological advance that is already applied in some hospital centers in the country.
Between January and April 2025, the Hospital Traumatology Service II Luis Negreiros has carried out 306 surgeries, becoming the Hospital of Level II with the highest volume of traumatological procedures at the national level, according to data provided by EsSalud.
These figures reflect not only the high demand for specialized care, but also the level of preparation of medical personnel and the infrastructure available to face complex cases such as Consuelo Tristán.
Now, the placement of this “bionic shoulder” represents a milestone inside the hospital and opens the door so that more patients with severe fractures can access advanced solutions without being referred to hospital centers with greater complexity.
The case also puts the need to continue promoting access to high specialization medical technologies in the country’s hospital. The importation of this prosthesis from abroad was managed as an exceptional measure, but it is preceded so that in the near future, similar procedures can be part of the regular catalog of surgical options.
At the moment, EsSalud It works on the implementation of new traumatological care protocols in older adults, a population vulnerable to complex falls and fractures.
