Marzana, Italy – January 8, 2026 – A remarkable recovery is underway at the ULSS 9 Rehabilitation Department, where 101-year-old Dante Marcazzan is becoming the first patient over a century old to receive post-operative care at the Veronese facility. His story isn’t just about bouncing back from a hip replacement; it’s a testament to the power of positivity and proactive living, even in the face of advanced age.
Centenarian’s Successful Hip Replacement Highlights Integrated Care
Table of Contents
A 101-year-old’s speedy recovery after hip surgery showcases a collaborative approach to geriatric care.
- Dante Marcazzan, born in 1924, underwent a successful hip prosthesis on December 22, 2025, following a fracture.
- The case demonstrates the effectiveness of “orthogeriatrics,” an integrated model combining orthopedic and geriatric expertise.
- Mr. Marcazzan’s positive outlook and active lifestyle are credited as key factors in his rapid rehabilitation.
- The Marzana Rehabilitation Department has seen a growing number of patients over 90, with 10 such cases in 2025.
What’s the secret to a long and healthy life? For Dante Marcazzan, a retired elementary school teacher who will celebrate his 102nd birthday on June 4th, it’s a combination of maintaining a cheerful spirit, staying actively involved in life – earning him the honor of Knight of the Republic – and enjoying the fruits of his garden. His recent hip replacement, following a fracture, is a striking example of how even individuals well into their second century can benefit from modern medical interventions.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Complex Care
Mr. Marcazzan arrived at the Marzana facility on January 3rd, after the surgery performed on December 22, 2025, at the Orthopedics department in San Bonifacio. The procedure was part of a comprehensive clinical pathway involving multiple departments within ULSS 9 Scaligera, including the Emergency Room, Geriatrics, Anesthesia, and Rehabilitation. Operating on a patient of this age, even one in generally good health, demands a carefully coordinated, multidisciplinary approach.
Dr. Mauro Carlini, Director of the UOC Resuscitation and Pain Therapy of San Bonifacio, emphasized the crucial role of the anesthesiologist in these cases. “In addition to the clinical aspects, the anesthetist in ultra-centenarians patients also deals with the human dimension of the treatment process,” he explained. “These patients are fragile not only physically but emotionally, bringing with them a life history and expectations that must be respected. Pre-operative evaluation becomes a moment of listening and discussion, to understand the person as a whole, reassure the patient and family, and build a truly personalized care path.”
Timely Intervention and Integrated Geriatric Care
The hip prosthesis was performed by the team led by Dr. Giulini, director of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit of San Bonifacio. “Operating on very elderly patients is now routine,” Dr. Giulini stated. “In cases like these, timeliness is fundamental, with surgery performed within 48 hours thanks to the activation of orthogeriatrics, an integrated clinical-care model that combines orthopedic and geriatric skills to manage frail elderly patients.” Specialist geriatric assessment and support in San Bonifacio are provided by the Geriatrics Complex Operational Unit team directed by Dr. Giorgia Cecchini.
Rehabilitation and the Importance of Occupational Therapy
The swift recovery of Mr. Marcazzan is also attributed to the collaborative work of the multi-professional team at the Rehabilitation Operational Unit of ULSS 9 in Marzana. This team included nurses, social-health workers, a physiatrist, an internist, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, and a psychologist, according to Dr. Gaspare Crimi, Director of the Resuscitation and Functional Recovery Unit of the Marzana Hospital.
Occupational therapy played a particularly important role, providing Mr. Marcazzan with strategies and tools for a safe and independent return home. Occupational therapists “train” patients in daily living activities, from dressing and washing to cooking, tidying up, and resuming hobbies. This service can even continue at home, ensuring patients correctly apply the techniques learned during hospitalization.
A Growing Trend: Caring for the ‘Great Elderly’
While Mr. Marcazzan’s case is exceptional, the Marzana Rehabilitation facility is seeing an increasing number of patients over 90. In 2025, 10 individuals aged over ninety received rehabilitation services at the Marzana hospital (7 orthopedic and 3 neurological), out of a total of 571 hospitalizations.
“I am going home happy but at the same time I am sorry to leave this new family who treated me divinely,” Mr. Marcazzan shared, expressing his gratitude towards the staff. “I found kindness, attention to the person, and an uncommon sensitivity, as well as precision in the organization of healthcare activities which make this service of ULSS 9 a true excellence.”
Francesca Di Michele, a physiotherapist, and Chiara De Marchi, an occupational therapist, echoed this sentiment. “Patients like this are the greatest satisfaction for those who carry out our work,” they said. “His good health has certainly helped in the rehabilitation process, but what makes the difference is the extraordinary will of spirit that characterizes him and the ability to always see the positive side of every event.”
Before leaving Marzana, Mr. Marcazzan posed for a group photo with his daughter, Lidia, and the entire department team, including Dr. Paola Zuccher (Physiatrist), Dr. Elisa Nesta (Internal Medicine Doctor), Dr. Sofia Pesavento (Coordinator of Physiotherapists), and Dr. Barbara Giacometti (Nursing Coordinator).
