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Oudam is a 35-year-old father from Cambodia who needs $926 to fund surgery to improve his hearing.

Oudam
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March 8, 2023

Oudam is a 35-year-old father of three from Cambodia. He is from Kampong Cham province, where he works as a construction worker alongside his wife. Together they have three sons, all young students. He enjoys spending time playing sports with his kids and checking news and updates from friends on Facebook.

Around fourteen years ago, Oudam had an ear infection that caused abnormal skin growth to develop in his ear. For this reason, Oudam experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear and communicate with colleagues and his family.

Oudam traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On March 8th, he will undergo a procedure in his left ear to remove the abnormal skin growth. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $926 to fund this procedure and covers Oudam’s medications, supplies, and inpatient care.

He hopes that he can feel healthy and improve his hearing with surgery.

Oudam is a 35-year-old father of three from Cambodia. He is from Kampong Cham province, where he works as a construction worker alongside hi...

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Oudam's Timeline

  • March 8, 2023
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • March 8, 2023
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Oudam was scheduled to receive 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.

  • March 16, 2023
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Oudam's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Oudam is currently raising funds for his treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Oudam's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

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Treatment
Mastoidectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $926 for Oudam's treatment
Hospital Fees
$130
Medical Staff
$681
Medication
$0
Supplies
$86
Labs
$24
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

A mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes diseased mastoid air cells. A patient who needs a mastoidectomy will experience hearing loss, chronic ear infections, and possibly cholesteatoma—an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear. Cholesteatomas cause hearing loss and ear discharge. The cholesteatoma will erode bones in the middle ear and can eventually expose the brain and cause death in complicated, untreated cases.

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

Patients live with hearing loss and chronic ear infections.

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

Treated incorrectly or left untreated, an infected mastoid bone can cause hearing loss, persistent ear discharge, meningitis, temporary dizziness, and temporary loss of taste. Due to poor hygiene and limited education in rural Cambodia, patients are likely to experience complications and receive the incorrect treatment.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

A mastoidectomy is performed with the patient asleep under general anesthesia. Surgeons will perform one of several different types of mastoidectomy, depending on the amount of infection present. These include: • Simple (or closed) mastoidectomy: The operation is performed through the ear or through an incision behind the ear. The surgeon opens the mastoid bone and removes the infected air cells. The eardrum is incised to drain the middle ear. Topical antibiotics are placed in the ear. • Radical mastoidectomy: This procedure removes the most bone and is usually performed for extensive spread of a cholesteatoma. The eardrum and middle ear structures may be completely removed. Usually the stapes, the "stirrup"-shaped bone, is spared to preserve some hearing. • Modified radical mastoidectomy: In this procedure, some middle ear bones are left in place, and the eardrum is rebuilt by tympanoplasty. After surgery, the wound is stitched up around a drainage tube, and a dressing is applied.

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

This treatment will relieve chronic ear infections, hearing loss, and other symptoms caused by the infected mastoid bone.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This treatment is highly effective, but it poses risks if performed by an inexperienced surgeon. The operation is near the facial nerve and the brain, so surgeons must be careful when operating. At Children's Surgical Centre, ENT surgeons only operate on cases about which they feel confident.

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

Care for this condition is not easily accessible in Phnom Penh. Only one other hospital performs ENT surgery, but care at that hospital is expensive. The ENT surgeons at our medical partner have a proven record of successful cases.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Once the infection stops responding to antibiotics, surgery is the only option.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.