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Success! Soro from Cambodia raised $696 to fund brachial plexus surgery so he can use his arm again.

100%

$696 raised, $0 to go

$696

raised

to go

Fully funded

Soro's treatment was fully funded on May 19, 2022.

Soro's story
Soro's update

Photo of Soro post-operation

June 1, 2022

Soro underwent shoulder and nerve surgery so he can use his arm again.

Soro had a complex intra-plexus graft and nerve repair and hopes that this surgery can provide him with more mobility of his arm. He will rest in the hospital as his surgical sites heal, and start physiotherapy in three weeks. Although it may take up to six months for complete regeneration of his nerves, he is hopeful that he can regain his strength. Surgeons look forward to seeing him over the next several months to check on his rehabilitation. He is hopeful his life will return to normal and he can go back to farming, riding his motorbike, and playing sports with his friends.

Soro’s mother said: “Our family is so happy that Soro survived his horrible accident and is able to receive help for his injuries. Please thank the strangers who donated so he can return to his previous life. We are grateful to the CSC staff who helped him to have this surgery.”

Soro had a complex intra-plexus graft and nerve repair and hopes that this surgery can provide him with more mobility of his arm. He will re...

February 15, 2022

Soro is an 18-year-old who works as a rice and vegetable farmer. He also has an older sister. In this free time, Soro enjoys playing football, going out with his friends, and listening to music.

In January, when Soro was traveling, he was assaulted and stabbed on the left side of his neck. He went to a local hospital, where doctors cleaned and closed the wound. However, he has not regained movement in his left arm since returning home. Doctors diagnosed his condition as a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in a loss of function and sensation. Currently, Soro cannot lift his arm, which means he is unable to work.

Soro traveled to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment, as CSC’s care center is the only center in the country that provides the surgery he needs to heal. On February 15th, Soro will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery. Upon recovery, he will be able to use his left arm again. CSC is requesting $696 to fund this procedure.

Soro says,” After surgery, I hope I can return to work and be free of pain.”

Soro is an 18-year-old who works as a rice and vegetable farmer. He also has an older sister. In this free time, Soro enjoys playing footbal...

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

Soro's Timeline

February 15, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Soro was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
February 15, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Soro 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.
February 20, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Soro's profile was published to start raising funds.
May 19, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Soro's treatment was fully funded.
June 1, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Soro's treatment was successful. Read the update.

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Funded by 13 donors

Treatment

Brachial Plexus Injury Surgery

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $696 for Soro's treatment

Hospital Fees

$87

Medical Staff

$561

Medication

Supplies

$40

Labs

Radiology

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Symptoms of brachial plexus injury (BPI) vary on the severity and location of the injury, but include muscle weakness, loss of sensation, pain, and paralysis. BPI can cause neuropathic pain with damage to the spinal cord and can be long-lasting, with effects such as burning numbness.

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

The impact of a brachial plexus injury can range in severity; some patients may experience weakness or great pain, others may be paralyzed in their shoulder and upper arm. This can make day-to-day tasks difficult and impair quality of life.

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

Motorcycle collisions are the most common cause of brachial plexus injury, and are, unfortunately, an exceedingly common occurrence in Cambodia.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Treatment for brachial plexus injury can involve nerve repair, nerve grafting, nerve transfer, or tendon and muscle transfers depending on the location and type of injury, and the amount of time since the injury occurred. A nerve repair involves reattaching a severed nerve; nerve graft is a procedure that takes a healthy nerve from another part of the body and transplants it to the injured nerve to guide regrowth; a nerve transfer is a procedure that cuts a donor nerve and connects it to the injured nerve when there is no functioning nerve stump to attach a graft. Nerve regeneration occurs approximately at a rate of 1 mm/day, and so recovery from a brachial plexus injury can take months for small improvements. Physical therapy during this time is important to prevent stiffness, contractures, or atrophy and increase the chances of regaining good movement in the affected limb.

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

While BPI surgery may not restore full movement to a patient, it can greatly increase the patient’s ability to use the affected limb and reduce the pain of the injury.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

BPI surgery is complicated and risks include infection as well as failure to restore movement, which would require further surgery.

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

Surgery to treat brachial plexus injury can be very complex and not widely performed. Surgical treatment in Cambodia can be expensive and hard to access. Patients will travel for hours by car, motocycle, and bus to receive free surgery at CSC.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Brachial plexus injury can have a range of severity; some patients may be able to be treated by splinting or physical therapy, but serious cases require surgical intervention. These types of injuries do not have alternatives to improving movement and functionality.

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