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Success! Chorn from Cambodia raised $487 to fund ear surgery so he can hear and communicate.

Chorn
100%
  • $487 raised, $0 to go
$487
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Chorn's treatment was fully funded on February 3, 2023.

Photo of Chorn post-operation

February 13, 2023

Chorn underwent ear surgery so he can hear and communicate.

Chorn and his wife traveled two hours to treat his chronic ear pain. He had successful surgery at Children’s Surgical Centre and was able to return home after his stitches were removed one week post-operatively. After his incision heals in a couple of weeks, his hearing will improve and he will no longer have frequent infections or ear discharge. Previously, his infection made it difficult for him to enjoy spending time with his children or working outside. But thanks to the successful surgery, Chorn will be able to work without difficulty and support his family.

Chorn shared: “After so many years of bad hearing and infections, I feel that I have been given a new life. This will help me support my family financially, as I will be able to work easier. Thank you to all of the donors who helped pay for my surgery and to the staff at the hospital. I am very grateful.”

Chorn and his wife traveled two hours to treat his chronic ear pain. He had successful surgery at Children's Surgical Centre and was able to...

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September 5, 2022

Chorn is a 33-year-old father of three. Chorn is married; he and his wife both work in a local factory. Chorn’s children are all in public school. When Chorn and his wife have free time, they grow vegetables around their house to support their daily meals.

When he was a child, Chorn had a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Chorn experiences pain, fevers, and frequent ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear in the busy factory and he often misses work because he feels poorly.

Chorn traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On September 6th he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.

Chorn shared, “I hope the doctors can help me so I will no longer have infections and can hear better. It is important for me to work to support my family.”

Chorn is a 33-year-old father of three. Chorn is married; he and his wife both work in a local factory. Chorn's children are all in public s...

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Chorn's Timeline

  • September 5, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Chorn was submitted by Ellen Interlandi, Stakeholder Relations at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • September 6, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Chorn 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 9, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Chorn's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 3, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Chorn's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 13, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Chorn's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 10 donors

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment
Myringoplasty
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $487 for Chorn's treatment
Hospital Fees
$61
Medical Staff
$375
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 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.