Watsi

Vin is a friendly 34-year-old driver from Cambodia who needs $464 to fund myringoplasty surgery to help him communicate clearly.

56%

$260 raised, $204 to go

$260

raised

$204

to go

Vin's story

November 23, 2021

Vin is a 34-year-old driver from Cambodia. He lives in the capital city with his wife and two sons. Vin’s wife is a factory worker.

Two years ago, Vin had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his right ear to perforate. Vin now experiences pain, ear discharge, and tinnitus. He cannot communicate clearly with others.

Vin visited our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On November 23rd, 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 $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.

Vin says, “I hope my hearing will improve and all the ear discharge will finally stop.”

Vin is a 34-year-old driver from Cambodia. He lives in the capital city with his wife and two sons. Vin's wife is a factory worker. Two y...

Submitted by

Learn more

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

Vin's Timeline

November 23, 2021
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Vin was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
November 23, 2021
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Vin 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.
November 24, 2021
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Vin's profile was published to start raising funds.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Vin is currently raising funds for his treatment.
TBD
AWAITING UPDATE
Awaiting Vin's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Share Vin's story

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment

Myringoplasty

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $464 for Vin's treatment

Hospital Fees

$78

Medical Staff

$385

Medication

Supplies

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.

Neila is a beautiful, smiley, and charming three-year-old girl. She is the second born child in a family of two children. Her family shared that she is a very friendly and loving little girl. Neila was diagnosed with genu varus, where her legs bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she cannot walk easily. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Neila. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 11th. Treatment will hopefully restore Neila's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Neila’s mother says, “I am struggling to make ends meet I won't be able to afford the treatment cost. Thank you for your help."

30% funded

30%funded

$269raised

$611to go

Leang Hor is a 28-year-old factory worker. She's married and her husband also works in a factory. The couple has a nine-year-old son in first grade and an 11-year-old daughter in third grade. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and cooking for her children. Their family lives with Leang Hor's parents so that they can send their children to school. While she was in Thailand looking for work, Leang Hor was in a pickup truck accident with 14 other people. Tragically, all of the occupants died except Leang Hor. She woke up in a Thai hospital with a fractured right humerus. Doctors there applied an external fixation to heal her fracture, but she has an open wound which has since become infected. She feels ill, her hand is very swollen, and she is unable to move her fingers. When Leang Hor learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled there seeking treatment. On December 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a wound debridement procedure to remove the infected tissue from her arm. She hopes after the debridement, her right forearm will heal and she will no longer have pain or infection. Now, Leang Hor needs help raising $273 to fund her procedure and care. Leang Hor shared, "I want to heal soon so I can go back to work to support our family and keep my children in school."

49% funded

49%funded

$136raised

$137to go

Koem Chun is a 78-year-old rice farmer. Koem Chun is married and has five sons, three daughters, and 20 grandchildren. He lives with his wife and their youngest daughter, who makes a living selling materials in the local market. Five years ago, Koem Chun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him tearing, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. He cannot see well in low light and colors all look faded to him. When Koem Chun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 9th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Koem Chun shared, "I hope I will see better and go outside again. I need to grow rice to feed my family."

26% funded

26%funded

$60raised

$169to go