Braving the flood to take the child to surgery for cleft lip and palate

In the line of people waiting for their turn for screening, the grandfather and his grandson, GAS (4 years old, Mong ethnic, in Van Ban, Lao Cai) were quite shy and had to rely on local officials to translate. Overcoming the rain and floods, the grandfather managed to bring his grandson to Hanoi in the hope of finding a smile for his little grandson.

Pediatric screening.

Starting from October 13, E Hospital continues to coordinate with Operation Smile to organize a free examination, treatment and surgery program for patients with cleft lip, palate and many other deformities.

According to the organizers' plan, this program will examine, treat and perform free surgery for about 40 children with cleft lip, palate and many other deformities. However, landslides and floods in many northern provinces and cities are still at a dangerous level, affecting the travel of many families.

Therefore, only 21 children from some areas of Lao Cai province such as Bao Yen, Bat Xat... and some other provinces such as Nghe An, Hai Duong , Dien Bien, Hanoi... were examined and screened for surgery on this occasion.

Holding his frail grandchild in his arms, little GAS could not hold back his tears. He shared that his grandchild was born with a severe cleft lip and palate defect that left his face unharmed and caused him to spit out milk when he drank it, crying incoherently in a state of severe malnutrition.

The family of this sick child is very pitiful because the father had an accident and died early, leaving the burden on the grandfather's shoulders. Although the medical staff had persuaded him to take his child for free examination and surgery many times, he still delayed taking him for treatment.

Because he was self-conscious about being an ethnic person and not being able to speak or understand the Kinh language, he was very apprehensive and worried. This time, when he and his grandchild went to Hanoi to examine and treat his grandchild, a local guardian accompanied them to "translate" and provide support.

Among the children who came for examination this time, Master, Doctor Dong Ha Trung - Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, E Hospital met again many children who had been examined by the doctor during the charity examination in mid-September 2025 in some areas of Lao Cai province such as Sa Pa, Bao Yen, Bat Xat...

Baby SQK (6 years old, in Na Phung village, Nghia Do commune, Lao Cai) was examined and advised by Master, Doctor Dong Ha Trung about having an extra finger on his right hand. Right from birth, the baby had a congenital defect with an extra finger on his right hand along with a thumb bent to one side. This defect was not detected during the ultrasound, only when the baby was born did the family realize it.

Many sick children have to overcome floods and long roads to get to the clinic.

Master, Doctor Dong Ha Trung said, the extra finger is located close to the thumb and the thumb is bent and misaligned due to abnormal bone structure. Although it is a benign deformity, extra fingers, especially in the thumb position, greatly affects the grip function - an important motor skill of children.

If not treated early, children are at risk of having difficulty in daily activities, especially holding, grasping, and writing. Deformed hands make children feel self-conscious and self-conscious, affecting their psychology and social development. In the long term, crooked fingers can cause bone deformities, joint dislocations, and are a risk factor for other bone and joint diseases.

Therefore, early orthopedic surgery in childhood is the optimal solution, helping to restore both function and aesthetics, creating a foundation for comprehensive development.

In this case, doctors prescribe orthopedic surgery with two goals: removing the extra finger and correcting the thumb cap to simultaneously restore motor function and aesthetics to the hand.

Doctors will perform surgery to remove the extra finger precisely, ensuring no damage to the surrounding tendons, blood vessels or nerves. At the same time, the crooked thumb will be thoroughly treated with orthopedic techniques to help straighten the finger, improving both aesthetics and gripping function for the child.

These are special cases that have been examined, consulted and operated on for free during this screening period. The subjects examined and consulted this time include children of many ages, as long as they meet the health requirements: Children from 6 months old with cleft lip (minimum 6kg), from 12 months old with cleft palate (minimum 8kg), cases of congenital cleft lip and palate sequelae of all ages (lip scars, palatal holes, nasal deformities, dental arch clefts)...

This is the 12th time this meaningful program has been held at E Hospital, marking a persistent and humane journey in the "rebirth" of smiles for thousands of unfortunate children with congenital facial deformities and many other deformities.

According to the Board of Directors of E Hospital, E Hospital always creates the best conditions for children to participate in surgery in this program. Children are exempted from all surgical costs and post-operative care in some departments: Dentistry, Cosmetic and Maxillofacial Surgery, etc.

In particular, young families receive free accommodation and partial support for food costs during treatment at E Hospital.

THIEN LAMB

Source: https://nhandan.vn/vuot-mua-lu-dua-chau-di-phau-thuat-khe-ho-moi-vom-mieng-post915052.html