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Success! Kosal from Cambodia raised $572 to fund surgery on his hand.

Kosal
100%
  • $572 raised, $0 to go
$572
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Kosal's treatment was fully funded on January 24, 2023.

Photo of Kosal post-operation

February 9, 2023

Kosal who underwent surgery on his hand.

Surgeons successfully debrided Kosal’s burn scars and performed a nerve graft to repair his hand. He spent several days in the hospital until surgeons were assured his wound was healing, then he was able to return home. He worked with the physiotherapy team for rehabilitative exercises to prevent stiffness and strengthen the muscles as he continues to recover. Many factors will determine how fast Kosal will recover hand function after his nerve graft surgery, but he is hopeful for the ability to support his family after his devastating injury.

Kosal said: “I feel positive about my future, and it is because of the generosity of strangers who helped to pay for my care. It is important for me to use my hand to work to feed and support my family. Thank you also to the hospital staff that is taking good care of me.”

Surgeons successfully debrided Kosal's burn scars and performed a nerve graft to repair his hand. He spent several days in the hospital unti...

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September 1, 2022

Meet Kosal, a 32-year-old husband and father who lives in Cambodia with his wife and three children. When he is not working, he enjoys playing volleyball, watching television, and spending time with his family.

On June 12th, Kosal’s left hand was burned at work by an electric shock. He visited a private clinic for wound care and medication and remained there for 15 days. Although he eventually returned home, the wound on his hand remained unhealed and has since become infected. He is currently experiencing pain and has a loss of sensation.

Kosal traveled to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), to seek treatment for his infected wound. On September 1st, surgeons at CSC’s care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, will perform a debridement and nerve graft procedure on his left wrist. This surgery should enable Kosal to heal completely and regain full motion of his hand. CSC is now seeking $572 to fund his procedure.

Kosal says, “I hope my left hand heals and I can return to work again.”

Meet Kosal, a 32-year-old husband and father who lives in Cambodia with his wife and three children. When he is not working, he enjoys playi...

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Kosal's Timeline

  • September 1, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • September 1, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Kosal 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.

  • September 1, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Kosal's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • January 24, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Kosal's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 9, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Kosal's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 11 donors

Funded by 11 donors

Treatment
Nerve and Tendon Repair
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $572 for Kosal's treatment
Hospital Fees
$92
Medical Staff
$429
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

A number of nerve and tendon procedures are performed at Children's Surgical Centre. These are typically performed because a nerve is no longer fully functional. Reasons for this limited functionality can include lacerations, blunt trauma, burns, and tumors. Sometimes, spinal nerves are compressed due to herniated discs, bone spurs, and tumors.

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

The patient cannot work or drive a motorbike, the most common form of transportation in Cambodia.

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

Traffic accidents, common in Cambodia, are the most typical cause of a brachial plexus injury (BPI), or damage to a network of nerves on the neck and shoulders. The inability to use a limb is debilitating for patients, whose livelihoods involve physical activity. They are often farmers, factory workers, or drivers.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

When a nerve no longer functions, the muscle that it innervates no longer functions. Surgeons either repair that nerve or use a nerve from somewhere else in the body to act as a graft. In some cases, a nerve can be redirected from a less important muscle and grafted into a more critical nerve. During a BPI surgery, surgeons divert a nerve from one destination and sew it into the non-functioning nerve. It can take three to six months before a patient fully recovers from this operation.

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

The patient will regain function in his or her arm. The patient can drive a motorbike and go back to work.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is highly effective. The nerve is already damaged, so there is no risk of causing more harm. The surgery can only improve function.

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

This surgery is not available to most Cambodians. Patients travel up to twelve hours to visit Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). They learn about CSC from the radio, a neighbor, or a family member.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternative treatments to regain limb functionality.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Choury

Choury is a shy, 18 year old girl living with her widowed mother in Kandal province in Cambodia. Her brothers are all married and live away from home, while her mother works as a rainy day rice farmer. In her free time, Choury enjoys playing tennis, swimming, cooking, listening to music, and meeting with her friends. Since Choury was about three months old, she has had problems with her mouth. For the past ten years, she has had frequent infections, accompanied by fevers, near her left ear, and stiffness near her temporomandibular joint - which connects the jaw to the skull. Because her father has passed away, her mother has not been able to afford any medical care for Choury. Choury is unable to open her mouth, which makes it difficult for her to eat and drink, and she always wears a mask due to her low self-esteem resulting from her face and frequent infections. Choury has been diagnosed with recurrent ankylosis and chronic osteitis. The ankylosis - and the constant inflammation in her jawbone - cause severely limited jaw function, as well as oral hygiene and nutritional problems. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. They plan to do surgery on December 6th at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre. Her family needs help with the $469 cost of her surgery and hospitalization. After surgery, Choury hopes she will be able to open her mouth, to speak better, and to no longer feel ashamed of her appearance. Choury said: "I hope the doctors can help me open my mouth better, and look like other people my age. I am embarrassed at work and feel poorly. I have not been able to eat real food. This would make me very happy."

47% funded

47%funded
$225raised
$244to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Choury

Choury is a shy, 18 year old girl living with her widowed mother in Kandal province in Cambodia. Her brothers are all married and live away from home, while her mother works as a rainy day rice farmer. In her free time, Choury enjoys playing tennis, swimming, cooking, listening to music, and meeting with her friends. Since Choury was about three months old, she has had problems with her mouth. For the past ten years, she has had frequent infections, accompanied by fevers, near her left ear, and stiffness near her temporomandibular joint - which connects the jaw to the skull. Because her father has passed away, her mother has not been able to afford any medical care for Choury. Choury is unable to open her mouth, which makes it difficult for her to eat and drink, and she always wears a mask due to her low self-esteem resulting from her face and frequent infections. Choury has been diagnosed with recurrent ankylosis and chronic osteitis. The ankylosis - and the constant inflammation in her jawbone - cause severely limited jaw function, as well as oral hygiene and nutritional problems. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. They plan to do surgery on December 6th at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre. Her family needs help with the $469 cost of her surgery and hospitalization. After surgery, Choury hopes she will be able to open her mouth, to speak better, and to no longer feel ashamed of her appearance. Choury said: "I hope the doctors can help me open my mouth better, and look like other people my age. I am embarrassed at work and feel poorly. I have not been able to eat real food. This would make me very happy."

47% funded

47%funded
$225raised
$244to go