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Success! Phearin from Cambodia raised $696 to fund nerve repair surgery on his shoulder.

Phearin
100%
  • $696 raised, $0 to go
$696
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Phearin's treatment was fully funded on February 4, 2021.

Photo of Phearin post-operation

February 15, 2021

Phearin underwent nerve repair surgery on his shoulder.

Phearin underwent a lengthy and complex nerve transfer surgery by our medical partner CSC’s surgeons. After his surgery, the flexed arm was strapped to his chest for three weeks. He had to keep the wound dry and clean. After the initial three weeks, passive exercises were begun by the physiotherapy team in the right shoulder and elbow joint. Nerve regeneration can take up to 6 months, and the CSC team is delighted that he has already experienced an improvement in his motor function.

“I am glad that my hand has begun to work, I can return to work like before, and I can drive motorbike, using it for my daily work especially I can earn money and support my family.”

Phearin underwent a lengthy and complex nerve transfer surgery by our medical partner CSC's surgeons. After his surgery, the flexed arm was ...

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December 9, 2020

Phearin is a 24-year-old from Cambodia. He has three older brothers who are all married. When he is not working, Phearin enjoys playing football, listening to music, playing games on his phone, and meeting up with his friends in the evening.

In August, Phearin was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a clavicle fracture and paralysis of his right arm. His family took him to a private clinic where the fracture was treated. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right 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.

Phearin traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On December 9th, 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.

Phearin said, “I really hope I can regain use of my arm so I can return to working as soon as possible.”

Phearin is a 24-year-old from Cambodia. He has three older brothers who are all married. When he is not working, Phearin enjoys playing foot...

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Phearin's Timeline

  • December 9, 2020
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • December 9, 2020
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Phearin 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.

  • December 10, 2020
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Phearin's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 4, 2021
    FULLY FUNDED

    Phearin's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 15, 2021
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Phearin'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 Phearin'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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Peter

Peter is a 5th grade student from Kenya. He is an only child being raised by his single mother, who works as a hotel waitress earning about $70 per month. The family also has a small tea plantation in their ancestral home, but are unable to raise the funds needed for Peter's surgery. Peter has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Peter has been experiencing difficulty in holding things and walking. The condition has affected his appearance, with a change in the color of his eyes. Over time, he has developed urine and stool incontinence. His worried mom decided to seek treatment from several hospitals. Doctors determined that Peter needs a special surgery that will relieve pressure from the skull. Without treatment, Peter will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Peter. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 11th, and will drain the excess fluid from Peter's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Peter will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Peter’s mother says, “Peter has been sickly and has been missing school for almost a year now. This condition is affecting his school life. He needs this treatment to recover and go back to school.”

34% funded

34%funded
$248raised
$472to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.