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Success! Leang from Cambodia raised $477 to fund burn treatment.

Leang
100%
  • $477 raised, $0 to go
$477
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Leang's treatment was fully funded on August 19, 2022.

Photo of Leang post-operation

September 17, 2022

Leang underwent burn treatment.

Leang has had to undergo several surgeries to help treat her hand since the car accident four years ago. As a result, she was nervous about her procedure at CSC, but the staff put her and her family at ease. The surgery went well, and Leang returned home to continue her healing. Leang is so excited to return to school soon and be able to hold objects in her left hand. Leang also shared that she looks forward to no longer having to visit the hospital for any more procedures!

Leang’s mother said, “We are very happy Leang was able to have surgery so her hand will be normal and other children will not make fun of her. Leang is a bright girl, and this will give her confidence to excel in school. Thank you to the CSC staff and the donors who helped so that Leang can have a normal hand.”

Leang has had to undergo several surgeries to help treat her hand since the car accident four years ago. As a result, she was nervous about ...

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April 7, 2022

Leang is a seven-year-old 2nd grade student. She has one 12-year-old brother. Leang’s father is a truck driver and her mother sells soft drinks by their home. At school Leang is good at math and wants to be a math teacher in the future.

Four years ago, Leang was in a traffic accident and injured her left hand. She received a month of treatment including skin grafts and wound dressings after the accident at a local hospital. The skin has healed but a contracture formed causing a tightening around her left hand and between fingers. Now it is difficult for her to grasp objects and carry anything with her left hand.

When Leang’s family learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 7th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to use her hand again. Now, she needs help to fund this $477 procedure.

Leang’s mother says, “I hope her hand heals and she can recover well.”

Leang is a seven-year-old 2nd grade student. She has one 12-year-old brother. Leang's father is a truck driver and her mother sells soft dri...

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Leang's Timeline

  • April 7, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • April 7, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Leang 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.

  • April 11, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Leang's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • August 19, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Leang's treatment was fully funded.

  • September 17, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Leang's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 19 donors

Funded by 19 donors

Treatment
Burn Contracture Release Surgery
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $477 for Leang's treatment
Hospital Fees
$161
Medical Staff
$268
Medication
$0
Supplies
$40
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

The patient will have burns on one or multiple areas of his or her body, which can be both functionally limiting and cosmetically uncomfortable. Burns can become infected and necrotic. Scars or contractures may form where the individual has been burned. This causes the skin to tighten, making it difficult for the patient to move the affected area. This condition can limit function, especially if the contractures form on the patient's hand.

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

Contracture burns are common on young children's hands and feet, and they limit their mobility. As children grow older, they often become uncomfortable about the appearance of the burns.

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

Many Cambodian homes use open cooking fires, which increase the risk of accidental burns.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

During a debridement procedure, the burned skin is removed under general anesthesia. If there is any necrotic tissue, it is removed by a sharp dissection and cleaned with antiseptic agents. Once good granulation tissues are seen, the area is covered with a skin graft donated from the upper arm or thigh. When scars or contractures form (usually within one month after the burn), a z-plasty is needed. Surgeons make a z-shaped incision along the contracture area and release the tightened tissue. Dressings are applied. Additional post-operative care might involve physiotherapy and pressure garments.

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

Patients will experience increased function, reduced pain, and a much lower risk of infection.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

If less than 40% of the body is burned, these burns can be effectively treated through debridement, skin graft, and contracture release treatments. There is a risk of infection, but this can be managed with various forms of daily dressings.

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

Skin grafts and other burn treatments are accessible at local clinics and hospitals. However, if patients are poor, they often resort to traditional healers.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Traditional medicine is available, but with unsuccessful results.

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.