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Success! Vicheth from Cambodia raised $487 to fund myringoplasty surgery to restore his hearing.

100%

$487 raised, $0 to go

$487

raised

to go

Fully funded

Vicheth's treatment was fully funded on October 10, 2022.

Vicheth's story
Vicheth's update

Photo of Vicheth post-operation

October 18, 2022

Vicheth had successful surgery to repair a perforated eardrum.

About twenty years ago, Vicheth had a severe ear infection that left him with a perforated eardrum, causing tinnitus and ear discharge. The medicines he tried didn’t help, and his symptoms could have become much more serious with time, possibly resulting in permanent hearing loss. We’re happy to share that he had successful surgery to repair his eardrum, and has returned home. Vicheth will use antibiotic drops to decrease any risk of re-infection and return to the hospital in a week for his stitches to be removed.

This surgery will help him to live more comfortably and improve his hearing and communication. He hopes to return to work soon and looks forward to eliminating the costs of the medicine he had been using.

Vicheth said, “I am so grateful that my hearing will return and I won’t have pain or ringing in my ears. I will be able to hear my customers, work to support my family, and be useful. Thank you to the staff and the donors who helped me to have this surgery.”

About twenty years ago, Vicheth had a severe ear infection that left him with a perforated eardrum, causing tinnitus and ear discharge. The ...

May 4, 2022

Vicheth is a 40-year-old man who works along side his wife as tailors. Together they have one daughter. Vicheth enjoys listening to music while he works and spending time at home with his family.

About twenty years ago, Vicheth had a severe ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. As a result, Vicheth still experiences ear discharge and tinnitus. He has tried different medicines but none have alleviated his pain or symptoms.

Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Vicheth receive treatment. On May 4th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to fund this procedure, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Vicheth’s family was able to gather $100 to contribute to his medical care.

Vicheth says, “I hope my ear heals quickly and I am able to hear well and not have any more discharge.”

Vicheth is a 40-year-old man who works along side his wife as tailors. Together they have one daughter. Vicheth enjoys listening to music wh...

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

Vicheth's Timeline

May 4, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Vicheth was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
May 4, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Vicheth 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.
May 5, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Vicheth's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 10, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Vicheth's treatment was fully funded.
October 18, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Vicheth's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Vicheth's story

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment

Myringoplasty

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $487 for Vicheth's treatment

Hospital Fees

$61

Medical Staff

$375

Medication

Supplies

$43

Labs

Radiology

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A myringoplasty is the closure of the perforation of the tympanic membrane in the ear. This surgery is performed when a patient has a perforated eardrum, certain types of hearing loss, and chronic otitis media (middle ear infection). A bilateral myringoplasty will be performed when a patient has otitis media on both sides. Patients experience difficulty hearing and communicating, in addition to chronic infection and daily ear discharge.

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

The patient has difficulty hearing and experiences daily pain and ear discharge. These symptoms make it difficult to attend school or work regularly.

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

Many people in Cambodia are unaware that medical help is available for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions. In rural villages, if a young child has trouble hearing, it may be assumed that he or she is deaf. For this reason, that child may not attend school.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

A myringoplasty is the closure of the perforation of the tympanic membrane. The temporalis fascia is grafted. An incision is made along the edge of the perforation, and a ring of epithelium is removed. A strip of mucosal layer is removed from the inner side of the perforation. The middle ear is packed with gelfoam soaked with an antibiotic. The edges of the graft should extend under the margins of the perforation, and a small part should extend over the posterior canal wall. The tympanomeatal flap is then replaced.

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

This surgery will repair the perforated tympanic membrane, treat the infection, and stop the ear discharge. This operation has a high success rate of hearing improvement.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is highly effective with few risks.

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

Treatment for chronic ear infections is not widely available in Cambodia. There are only a handful of doctors in the country that will perform a myringoplasty, but their services are expensive. Children's Surgical Centre is the only affordable treatment option for patients coming in with chronic otitis media on one or both sides.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

The alternative to surgery is antibiotic ear drops, but they have a far lower success rate. Many people neglect their pain and discharge for years, until total loss of hearing becomes a reality.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

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