Dr. Rodrigo F. Bolaños Girón

Profil

„The patient’s best chance for complete success is when they come for early consultation, shortly after the injury. This allows for quick treatment and avoids permanent damage.”

Dr. Rodrigo Bolaños is one of the most prominent specialists in hand surgery in Guatemala, recognized for his excellence in the comprehensive management of complex hand, wrist, and elbow disorders, including fracture and arthritis. With many years of experience, Dr. Bolaños now performs about 250 hand and upper extremity surgeries a year. He has a specialty in Orthopedics and Traumatology, and a supra-specialty in Hand and Upper Limb Surgery.

 Dr. Bolaños is widely recognized internationally. He was president of the Guatemala chapter of the „Association for Osteosynthesis – A.O“. Trauma„, which originated in Davos, Switzerland. This unique international community of orthopedic surgeons, researchers of musculoskeletal conditions, and specialized operating room personnel are dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge, experience, and evidence to improve patient care and outcomes in the field of musculoskeletal trauma. As an honored presenter in Switzerland, Dr. Bolaños prepares educational seminars that will give young physicians the confidence of knowing they have the cutting-edge skills needed to function as well as any physician in the world. 

Dr. Bolaños is also a member of the “American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons” (AAOS), the preeminent provider of musculoskeletal education for orthopedic surgeons worldwide. He was also president of the „Asociación Guatemalteca de Ortopedia y Traumatología“ (AGOT) and the „Asociación Guatemalteca de Cirugía de la Mano“ (AGCM). He is currently an international member of the „American Society for Surgery of the Hand“ (ASSH).

At the “Clínica de la Mano al Hombro”, patients who come to the office seeking relief from pain caused by an accident, a sports injury, or a degenerative disease are evaluated and treated. 

To speed the recovery process for its patients, it has a network of physical therapists especially dedicated to post-operative treatment. During surgeries, of comparable quality to the best hospitals in the world, Dr. Bolaños uses top-quality surgical equipment and implants and has access to the most renowned hospitals in Guatemala City.  Through incisions and a refined technique in the handling of soft tissues, he seeks to obtain healing and scarring with the least possible sequelae.

It is important to Dr. Bolaños that his patients understand all facets of their situation and the process required to solve the problem. He uses audiovisual tools, such as photos and videos, in his clinic to illustrate the problem, then relies on the patient’s diagnostic images to achieve a better understanding through visual confirmation with the patient. Because Dr. Bolaños works with everyone from small babies and young mothers to the elderly and their caregivers, he takes the time to explain how a teacher, educating in a friendly way with words and methods that make sense.

When Dr. Bolaños needs more than a physical exam to diagnose the cause of pain and/or trauma, he relies on the most modern imaging facilities in Guatemala. For example, X-rays can clearly show bones and fractures, but to see bones in more detail, such as density or tumor growth, a computerized axial tomography (CT) scan is required. The soft tissue in the joints and around the bones is visible in high detail with an MRI image. However, to see how the tissues interact in motion and under stress, a dynamic ultrasound gives the physician all the information he or she needs to determine the right procedure to restore the range of motion to the maximum performance level.

Some types of upper extremity injuries commonly treated by Dr. Bolaños are:

A scaphoid fracture is one of the most common carpal injuries. It often occurs after a fall on the outstretched hand or in a car accident, after hyperextension of the wrist joint. Because there is no visible deformity or difficulty with movement, many people with this injury assume that it is a „sprain“ of the wrist. Unfortunately, delaying treatment can cause serious problems.

Dupuytren’s (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture usually progresses over the years, starting with a thickening of the skin in the palm of the hand, which simulates a cord that limits the extension of the affected finger, thus keeping it in a bent position. Since the affected fingers cannot be completely straightened, everyday activities become considerably more complicated.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. When it is not treated early, it can deteriorate the joints and connective tissue, and the patient suffers pain and disfigurement. Dr. Bolaños corrects the resulting deformity to restore function and mobility, and thus resolve the consequences of rheumatoid arthritis. 

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is the result of painful inflammation of the wrist and thumb tendons. Dr. Bolaños can open the compartment that covers the tendons and allows them to move freely. The patient can then enjoy a restored range of motion and rapid healing with small, minimally invasive incisions.

With fluent communication in Spanish, English, and German, patients know that their hands are in the best hands with Dr. Rodrigo Bolaños.

„Our hands are full of small parts in small spaces that need to function precisely in unison, like a Swiss watch. They are small parts, which in real life, operate with such coordination that we can use our hands as instruments. Manual dexterity is not something we think about every day, but it allows us to create the products we are proud of in our work, to prepare a good meal for our family, or to write thoughts to share our opinions and to caress our loved ones at home.“

Mitgliedschaften

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons – AAOS

• International affiliate, 2008-2018. Afiliado Internacional desde 2008 hasta la fecha
• Participant, 77^th Convention of AAOS, Las Vegas, NV, 2015
• Induction as International Member, San Francisco, California, 2008. Miembro Internacional, desde 2008
• Course Attendee: “Knee Replacement”, Guatemala, 2007. Asistente a Curso Internacional: “Reemplazo Articular de Rodilla”, Guatemala, 2007

Asociación Guatemalteca de Ortopedia y Traumatología – AGOT, Guatemala

• Presidente, 2015-2017
• Conferencista: Casos y Complicaciones en Ortopedia, Ciudad de Guatemala, 2017. Guest Speaker: Cases and Complications in Orthopedia, Guatemala, 2017
• Simposio Residentes de Ortopedia, Lesiones Deportivas de la Mano, 2017. Symposium of Orthopedia: Sports Injuries of the Hand, 2017
• Avances en el Tratamiento de Lesiones, y Cirugía de la Mano, 2017. Advances in the Surgical Treatment of Hand Injuries, 2017
• Conferencista Seminario, San Marcos, Guatemala, 2017. Seminar Speaker, 2017
• Instructor, Curso Maestros: Patología Quirúrgica Musculoesquelética, 2016. Master’s Course Instructor: Musculoskeletal Surgical Pathology, 2016
• Conferencista, Panel foro Lesiones Traumatologicas Frequentes, Guatemala, 2016. Speaker
• Conferencista, Guatemala, 2016. Forum Panel Speaker: Frequent Traumatic Lesions, 2016
• Simposio de Residentes de IGSS, Avances en Cirugia Articular, Guatemala, 2015. Instructor of Medical Residents: Advances in Joint Surgery, 2015
• Comite Organizador, Congreso Nacional, Guatemala, 2014
• Miembro Activo desde 2007
• Mejor residente programa de Traumatología y Ortopedia IGSS, 2005

Federación Internacional de Sociedades y Asociaciones Latinoamericanos de Ortopedia y Traumatología. International Federation of Latin American Societies and Associations of Orthopedics

• Conferencista, Republica Dominicana, 2016. Speaker, National Convention, 2016
• Miembro Internacional desde 2015. International Member since 2015

Asociación Guatemalteca de Cirugía de la Mano

• Miembro Activo desde 2010. Active Member since 2010
  

Association for Osteosynthesis | A.O. Trauma, Davos, Switzerland

• Webinar Podcast: Dr. Bolaños presents an update on the current management of frequent elbow fractures, called olecranon fractures. He talks about the decisions required to anticipate time and performance for the procedure, accounting for advance sand alternative treatments. August 2018 El Dr. Bolaños presenta una actualización sobre el manejo actual de fracturas frecuentes de codo, llamadas fracturas de olécranon. Él habla acerca de las decisiones necesarias para anticipar el tiempo y el rendimiento del procedimiento, teniendo en cuenta los tratamientos alternativos avanzados de arena. Agosto de 2018
• Guatemalan National Delegate for the Latin America Chapter, 2013-2018. Delegado Nacional Latinoamericano de Guatemala, 2013-2018
• Instructor, Master’s Course, 3rd-year students, 2015-2017. Profesor del Curso de Maestros, 2015-2017
• National Instructor in Trauma Courses: Surgical Treatment of Fractures, 2017. Profesor Nacional, Trauma Curso: Tratamientos Quirúrgicos de las Fracturas, Guatemala, 2017
• Regional Instructor: Complications in Difficult Fractures, 2017. Profesor Regional, Fracturas Difíciles y Complicaciones, San José, Costa Rica, 2017
• Regional Instructor: Trauma of the Musculoskeletal System, 2017. Profesor Regional, Trauma del Aparato Locomotor, Republica Dominicana, 2017
• International Instructor: Masters in Surgery of the Hand and Wrist, 2016. Profesor Internacional, Maestros en Cirugía de Mano y Muñeca, 2016
• National Instructor, Surgery of the Foot and Ankle, 2016. Profesor Nacional, Cirugía de Pie y Tobillo, Guatemala, 2016
• Profesor Regional, Principios de los Tratamientos Quirúrgicos de la Fracturas, Guadalajara, México, 2016. Regional Instructor: Principles of Surgical Treatment of Fractures, Mexico, 2016
• Profesor Internacional, Cirugía de Mano y Muñeca, Davos, Suiza, 2015. International Instructor, Surgery of the Hand and Wrist, Switzerland, 2015
• Profesor Regional, Principios Avanzados en el Tratamiento Quirúrgica de Fracturas, México DF, 2015
• Profesor Regional, Principios Básicos en el Tratamiento Quirúrgico, Sao Paulo Brasil, 2015
• Director Curso: Cirugía de Mano y Muñeca, Guatemala 2015
• Profesor Regional: Trauma Miembro Superior, Caracas, Venezuela, 2015
• Participante: Programa Entrenamiento Directores, Santiago, Chile, 2014
• Alumnus, member, since 2007

International Confederation of Health Confederation Internacional de la Salud

• International Certification for Medical Excellence. Certificado Internacional a la Excelencia Medica, 2015

Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social – IGSS, Guatemala

• Conferencista en Simposio Titulado: Avances en el Tratamiento Ortopédico y Traumatológico de Miembro Superior y Cirugía de la Mano, 2017. Symposium Speaker – Professor, Presentation of “Advances in Orthopedic Treatment of Upper Extremities and Hand Surgery”
• Jefe de Servicio Médico Modulo Mano y Miembro Superior, 2012. Chief of the Hand and Upper Limbs Surgical Unit, 2012
• Especialista en Cirugía de la Mano, 2010-2011
• Jefe de Residentes Departamento de Traumatología y Ortopedia IGSS, 2007
• 1er lugar académico-docente cada uno de los 4 años de residencia programa de Traumatología y Ortopedia, 2005

American Society for Surgery of the Hand

• International Afiliate Member since 2015

Colegio de Medico y Cirujanos de Guatemala Guatemala College of Physicians and Surgeons

• Miembro Activo desde 2003

Download complete C.V. here.

Im akademischen Bereich

Congreso Internacional de Cirugía y Terapia de la Mano

• Conferencista, Ciudad de Guatemala, 2018

Congreso Nacional de Medicina, Guatemala

• Trauma de la Mano, Conferencista, Ciudad de Guatemala, 2010
• Asistente a los Congresos de Traumatología y Ortopedia, 2003-2007

AO Trauma, Davos, Switzerland

• International Professor: Master’s Course on Surgery of Shoulder and Elbow, 2018.
• Special Course: Flaps in the upper and Lower Extremities, Miami, 2017.
• Special Course: The Principles in the Surgical Treatment of Fractures, in Guatemala 2010.
• Attendee: Central America Courses on Hand Surgery, Guatemala, 2004, 2005, 2006.

Universidad El Bosque, Facultad de Medicina, Bogota, Colombia

• Sub-specialty in Hand and Upper Limb Surgery, first year post-graduate studies, 2009-2010.
• Intensive Course in Microsurgery and lab work in Experimental Surgery, 2009.
• Orthopedic Techniques of the Future, 2009.

Ibero-Latin American Hand Surgery Congress

• National Congress Attendee, 2009

Fundación Santa Fé, Bogota,Colombia

• Fellowship Awarded by the A. O. Foundation, 2008

Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala – USAC, School of Medical Sciences

• Management of Health Services, 2007
• Coordinator of the 21^st Round Table Symposium for Medical Residents in Orthopedics, Guatemalan Social Security Institute, 2007
• Residency as Specialist in Orthopedics, 2003-2007
• The organizer of the 20th annual Symposium for Orthopedic Residents, 2006

Health Stream International, Miami Beach, Florida

• Advanced Reconstruction of the Foot and Ankle, Miami Beach, 2005.

Universidad de Francisco Marroquin – UFM, Facultad de Medicina, Guatemala

• First Place on the Dean’s List, 2002
• Master’s Degree Physician and Surgeon, 2002
• , Bachelor’s degree, 1998

Veröffentlichungen

Synovial cyst, diagnosis and treatment in Guatemala, published by Dr. Bolaños, Central America Doctors, 2020.

The Recurrence of Wrist Ganglia After Open Surgical Resection

• Fundación de Santa Fe de Bogotá, 2009

Value of Albumin Service at the Moment of Hospital Admission as a Mortality Prediction Factor in Patients Over 50 Years of Age with Hip Fracture.

• Hospital de Accidentes – IGSS, 2007

Utilización del Clavo Bloqueado Intramedular Anterógrado a la Placa Dinámica de Compresión en la Fractura Diafisaria Humeral

• Hospital de Accidentes – IGSS, 2006

Charity, den öffentlichen Dienst, Spenden

Dr. Bolaños is respected guest speaker at the regional medical conferences throughout Guatemala, donating his time and talent to training young doctors. In small cities and towns, local doctors appreciated the opportunity to hear lectures and learn new techniques from Dr. Bolaños, which will increase their own knowledge and skills to better serve their patients, who are far away from city resources. He has participated in many medical missions and symposia in Esquipulas and Retalhuleu since 2014.