Watsi

Success! Sovan from Cambodia raised $450 to fund nerve repair surgery.

100%

$450 raised, $0 to go

$450

raised

to go

Fully funded

Sovan's treatment was fully funded on December 31, 2016.

Sovan's story
Sovan's update

Photo of Sovan post-operation

January 25, 2017

Sovan underwent successful nerve repair surgery.

Following his operation, he received pain medication to take as needed and had physiotherapy for his wrist and fingers. His wound is completely healed, and his arm functionality has improved. If Sovan has any problems, he can return to our medical partner for free treatment.

Sovan says, “I am happy that I can raise my arm up without any pain.”

Following his operation, he received pain medication to take as needed and had physiotherapy for his wrist and fingers. His wound is complet...

November 4, 2016

Sovan is a 46-year-old farmer with three sons and two daughters. He likes to watch TV and listen to the radio.

In July 2016, Sovan was in a traffic collision, and he sustained a brachial plexus injury (BPI), which occurs when nerves in the back are damaged. He had difficulty using his left arm.

When Sovan learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On November 4, he underwent BPI surgery, which involved diverting nerves from other locations and sewing them onto the non-functioning nerves. Recovery from this procedure can take up to six months. Now, Sovan needs help to raise $450 to cover his medical bills.

Sovan is a 46-year-old farmer with three sons and two daughters. He likes to watch TV and listen to the radio. In July 2016, Sovan was in...

Submitted by

Learn more

Sovan's case was submitted by Lindsay Bownik at Children's Surgical Centre.

Sovan's Timeline

November 4, 2016
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Sovan was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre.
November 4, 2016
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Sovan 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.
December 1, 2016
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Sovan's profile was published to start raising funds.
December 31, 2016
FULLY FUNDED
Sovan's treatment was fully funded.
January 25, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Sovan's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Sovan's story

Funded by 7 donors

Treatment

Nerve and Tendon Repair

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $450 for Sovan's treatment

Hospital Fees

$105

Medical Staff

$345

Medication

Supplies

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.

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