clinic San Fernando S.A.

Clinic San Fernando S.A. is a multi-specialty hospital in Cali, Colombia. It opened in 1949 as the San Jorge Clinic and has over 70 years of history. This private hospital offers medium- and high-complexity surgery and inpatient care. It treats both local and international patients.

Key Facts and Surgical Experience

The hospital has passed a major milestone, with over 200,000 surgeries performed to date. It has 34 hospital beds and 3 fully equipped operating rooms. There is an intensive care unit and a 24-hour laboratory. Diagnostic services and a blood bank are on-site around the clock.

Specialists at the clinic belong to recognized professional organizations:

• Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery
• Society of Plastic Surgeons

Membership means they follow national standards for surgical quality and safety.

Specialties and Surgical Procedures

The hospital focuses on three main areas. These are plastic and aesthetic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, and otorhinolaryngology (ENT).

Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery

Plastic surgery is a core specialty, run by experienced physicians. One of them is Dr. Eduardo Salazar Hurtado, a reconstructive specialist with 30 years of experience. His department offers several body contouring and facial procedures:

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to remove excess skin and tighten muscles
• Liposuction and 360 liposculpture for targeted fat removal
• Mastopexy (breast lift) and mammoplasty (reduction or augmentation)
• Rhinoplasty to reshape the nose or improve breathing
• Bichectomy (buccal fat removal) and facial fat transfer

Surgeons often combine abdominoplasty with liposuction for more defined results. Before each surgery, patients get a personalized medical evaluation so the team can plan it safely.

Cardiovascular Surgery

The cardiovascular team treats complex heart and vascular conditions. Specialists perform aortocoronary anastomosis for myocardial revascularization. This procedure restores blood flow to the heart muscle. For stenosis or valve insufficiency, they perform aortic valve replacement.

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

The ENT department uses surgery to fix breathing and ear problems. Specialists treat conditions such as a deviated septum and nasal congestion. Common procedures include:

• Turbinoplasty to adjust nasal turbinates and improve airflow
• Septoplasty to correct a deviated nasal septum
• Tonsillectomy for chronic infections or airway blockages
• Tympanoplasty to repair a ruptured or perforated eardrum

Neurosurgery services are available as well. These include facet blocks – injections that relieve pain from spinal arthritis.

Patient Safety and Technology

The clinic runs an internal patient safety program to lower surgical risks. It includes pharmacovigilance, which monitors medication safety, and technovigilance for medical devices. Entry rules are strict and include rapid tests for infections and shoe disinfection.

For skin and fat treatments, the surgical team uses two specific technologies:

• J-Plasma Renuvion – a radiofrequency device for skin tightening and fat emulsification
• Argon plasma – used for aesthetic treatment of loose skin

These tools give surgeons precise control over tissue during aesthetic procedures.

Services for International Patients

A dedicated International Office coordinates the trip for patients from Europe and the Americas. Coordinators speak English and Spanish. They stay with patients through recovery for the whole length of their stay.

Support for international patients covers several stages:

• Virtual medical assessment and registration
• Scheduling and pre-surgery preparation
• Hotel transfer and help with accommodation
• Recovery support and follow-up medical monitoring

Before surgery, patients can arrange tourism activities in the Valle del Cauca region. This way, they can experience local culture while receiving medical care.