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Success! Chanreth from Cambodia raised $696 for brachial plexus repair surgery so he can use his left arm again.

Chanreth
100%
  • $696 raised, $0 to go
$696
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Chanreth's treatment was fully funded on December 23, 2021.

Photo of Chanreth post-operation

December 29, 2021

Chanreth received brachial plexus repair surgery so he can use his left arm again.

Hopeful that surgery would heal his injured arm, Chanreth traveled to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for treatment. His surgery was a success, and he’ll remain in a cast for six weeks before starting physical therapy to continue his healing. The surgeons are hopeful he will fully regain use of his arm within six months and will be able to return to work.

Chanrath shared, “I am lucky I could have this surgery and can look forward to working again. Thank you to everyone who tried to help me have surgery like this so I can return to supporting my family.”

Hopeful that surgery would heal his injured arm, Chanreth traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for treatment. His su...

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October 13, 2021

Chanreth is a 21-year-old, hard working man. He is married and has two daughters. Chanreth’s wife is a garment worker. He enjoys listening to music on his phone.

Three months ago, Chanreth was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left shoulder. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his arm, and he cannot work right now because of this.

Chanreth traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On October 13th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure.

Chanreth says, “I hope after surgery my shoulder will move again. I have a four-month-old daughter that I would like to take more care of once I am healed.”

Chanreth is a 21-year-old, hard working man. He is married and has two daughters. Chanreth's wife is a garment worker. He enjoys listening t...

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Chanreth's Timeline

  • October 13, 2021
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Chanreth was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • October 13, 2021
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Chanreth received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • October 15, 2021
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Chanreth's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • December 23, 2021
    FULLY FUNDED

    Chanreth's treatment was fully funded.

  • December 29, 2021
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Chanreth's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 15 donors

Funded by 15 donors

Treatment
Brachial Plexus Injury Surgery
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $696 for Chanreth's treatment
Hospital Fees
$87
Medical Staff
$561
Medication
$0
Supplies
$40
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Symptoms of brachial plexus injury (BPI) vary on the severity and location of the injury, but include muscle weakness, loss of sensation, pain, and paralysis. BPI can cause neuropathic pain with damage to the spinal cord and can be long-lasting, with effects such as burning numbness.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

The impact of a brachial plexus injury can range in severity; some patients may experience weakness or great pain, others may be paralyzed in their shoulder and upper arm. This can make day-to-day tasks difficult and impair quality of life.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Motorcycle collisions are the most common cause of brachial plexus injury, and are, unfortunately, an exceedingly common occurrence in Cambodia.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Treatment for brachial plexus injury can involve nerve repair, nerve grafting, nerve transfer, or tendon and muscle transfers depending on the location and type of injury, and the amount of time since the injury occurred. A nerve repair involves reattaching a severed nerve; nerve graft is a procedure that takes a healthy nerve from another part of the body and transplants it to the injured nerve to guide regrowth; a nerve transfer is a procedure that cuts a donor nerve and connects it to the injured nerve when there is no functioning nerve stump to attach a graft. Nerve regeneration occurs approximately at a rate of 1 mm/day, and so recovery from a brachial plexus injury can take months for small improvements. Physical therapy during this time is important to prevent stiffness, contractures, or atrophy and increase the chances of regaining good movement in the affected limb.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

While BPI surgery may not restore full movement to a patient, it can greatly increase the patient’s ability to use the affected limb and reduce the pain of the injury.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

BPI surgery is complicated and risks include infection as well as failure to restore movement, which would require further surgery.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Surgery to treat brachial plexus injury can be very complex and not widely performed. Surgical treatment in Cambodia can be expensive and hard to access. Patients will travel for hours by car, motocycle, and bus to receive free surgery at CSC.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Brachial plexus injury can have a range of severity; some patients may be able to be treated by splinting or physical therapy, but serious cases require surgical intervention. These types of injuries do not have alternatives to improving movement and functionality.

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100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Nashon

Nashon is a farmer, a husband, and a father of one. He grows potatoes while his wife is a hair salonist. Nashon dropped out of school in grade 8 because of lack of funds at home. The young family is hardworking but since Nashon fractured his leg, he hasn’t been able to work in his farm and he is relied on as the breadwinner of his family. His wife says “It has not been easy for me since he broke his leg. I have to work extra hard to feed my family since he is the pillar of our family.” Their family lives in a single room house with grass as its roof. One month ago, Nashon experienced a severe road traffic accident that costed him a right tibia fracture. Nashon was a passenger in a motorbike which lost control and clenched into a ditch. He sustained an open fracture in his right leg. He was rushed to Kapsowar Hospital where he needed emergency surgery to clean his wounds. He was discharged with a cast to recover at home. Three weeks later, Nashon returned to hospital for a normal checkup. During the visit, It was recognized that his fracture had not healed and he needs a surgery to heal and stabilize a broken bone. Nashon is unable to use his leg, work, and provide for his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. If Nashon undergoes a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation, Nashon will be able to use his leg, work and provide for his family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1145 to fund this procedure. Nashon says, "It has been hard to carry out my normal duties especially going to my farm. I look forward to getting well so that I can support my family.”

48% funded

48%funded
$553raised
$592to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.