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Success! Chantha from Cambodia raised $487 to fund a myringoplasty procedure to heal a perforation in his left ear.

Chantha
100%
  • $487 raised, $0 to go
$487
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Chantha's treatment was fully funded on March 7, 2023.

Photo of Chantha post-operation

March 21, 2023

Chantha underwent a myringoplasty procedure to heal a perforation in his left ear.

Chantha was fortunate to have surgery to repair his eardrum; he could have been hearing-impaired permanently without this procedure. Prior to surgery, he often felt poorly and could not hear well in school. His family plans to visit our medical partner CSC in a few months to re-assess his hearing. He will no longer miss school, and his communication skills will improve. This treatment will help him be successful socially and in school.

Chantha’s mother shared: “I am happy my son will have no more ear problems; we spent so much money on medicines that never worked. I want to thank the staff at the hospital and the people who support and care for Cambodians that need help like Chantha.”

Chantha was fortunate to have surgery to repair his eardrum; he could have been hearing-impaired permanently without this procedure. Prior t...

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October 19, 2022

Chantha is a bright 9-year-old student. He is currently in grade two in a public school and has two brothers and two sisters. His parents are both construction workers. At home, he likes to read and play football with his friends.

Eight months ago, Chantha had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane (the ear drum) in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Chantha experiences serosanguinous discharge and pain in his left ear. His hearing has deteriorated, which makes it difficult for him to stay involved in conversations.

Chantha’s parents bought eardrops from the pharmacy, but could not afford to take him to a clinic. He cannot communicate clearly with others and doesn’t want to attend school because he feels ashamed he doesn’t understand the teacher.

Chantha’s family traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On October 19th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.

Chantha’s mother said: “I hope that my son’s hearing will improve after the operation and he will not suffer from more ear infections.”

Chantha is a bright 9-year-old student. He is currently in grade two in a public school and has two brothers and two sisters. His parents ar...

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Chantha's Timeline

  • October 19, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 19, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Chantha 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.

  • October 21, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Chantha's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 7, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Chantha's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 21, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Chantha's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 10 donors

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment
Myringoplasty
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $487 for Chantha's treatment
Hospital Fees
$61
Medical Staff
$375
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.