4/9/2020
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After undergoing surgical procedure to treat his fractured skull, Medel was discharged
from the hospital on March 13, 1999. Medel’s Discharge Summary disclosed that he
underwent the following treatment:
1/ Surgical procedure: An open wound, 5 cm long, in the left frontal region.
Extend [of] the wound [up] to 10 cm. The underlying frontal bone is found
completely shattered. The frontal sinus is broken. The fracture in the frontal
bone extends beyond the midline to the right parietal bone. The fractured
skull is depressed 1 cm. Frontal sinus is cleansed, its mucosa is cauterized.
A Gelfoam is packed into the frontal sinus. The broken fragments of the
frontal bone are removed. The remaining depressed frontal bone is elevated
to normal position. The fractured fronto-parietal bone is gouged out. A
rubber tube drain is placed into the wound. Skin is closed in 2 layers.
Post-op is uneventful. Left palpebral
Eye examination shows scattered
heals well. Left palpebral ptosis
hemorrhage is markedly reduced,
ptosis and dimmed vision are recorded.
retinal hemorrhages. Surgical incision
recovers nearly completely. Retinal
however, left vision is not yet fully
recovered.[10]
Medel’s attending physician then recommended his “[r]epatriation for further treatment
(at the patient’s request)” and that he should “[s]ee a neurosurgeon and an
ophthalmologist in the Philippines.”[11]
Medel was repatriated to the Philippines on March 13, 1999 and was admitted to the
Metropolitan Hospital on the said date. In a letter dated March 16, 1999, Dr. Robert D.
Lim, the company-designated physician and Medical Coordinator of the Metropolitan
Hospital, informed petitioners that
Medel was seen by a neurologist, an ENT specialist, and an ophthalmologist.[12] Medel
subsequently underwent a cranial CT scan and an ultrasound on his left eye, which was
also injured during the accident.[13] On April 22, 1999, a posterior vitrectomy was
performed on Medel’s left eye;[14] and on July 14 and July 19, 1999, Medel’s left eye
was likewise subjected to two sessions of argon laser retinopexy.[15] Dr. Lim then
reported to petitioners that Medel’s condition was re-evaluated on July 22, 1999 and,
after consulting with the neurosurgeon at the Metropolitan Hospital, Medel was advised
to undergo cranioplasty to treat the bony defect in his skull.[16] On October 20, 1999,
Medel was admitted to the hospital and underwent the said surgical procedure.[17] On
October 25, 1999, Dr. Daniel L. Ong, a neurologist at the Metropolitan Hospital, sent a
report to Dr. Lim stating thus:
DEAR DR. LIM,
RE: DELAY OF CRANIOPLASTY OF LEFT FRONTAL SINUS OPEN DEPRESSED
FRACTURE; S/P POST-CRANIOTOMY (MR. JOSELITO MEDEL)
elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/55119
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