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Success! Channa from Cambodia raised $991 to fund a wound debridement and free flap surgery so that he can live comfortably.

Channa
100%
  • $991 raised, $0 to go
$991
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Channa's treatment was fully funded on February 28, 2023.

Photo of Channa post-operation

December 2, 2022

Channa underwent a wound debridement and free flap surgery so that he can live comfortably.

Channa underwent complex surgery at Children’s Surgical Centre for a wound debridement. He remained at the hospital for observation to ensure he was healing properly before returning home. Channa will continue on antibiotics. Upon full recovery, Channa can look for construction work again to supplement his family’s income and help provide money for food and their daughter’s school uniforms.

Channa’s wife said: “We were worried my husband would not ever walk again or possibly lose his leg and are so grateful to the surgeons and hospital staff who fixed it. It has been very hard to support our family without his income as a construction worker. We also want to thank the strangers who donated money to pay for Channa’s surgery so he can return to a normal life.”

Channa underwent complex surgery at Children's Surgical Centre for a wound debridement. He remained at the hospital for observation to ensur...

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October 11, 2022

Channa is a 29-year-old husband and father from Cambodia. He and his wife have an eight-year-old daughter in first grade. His wife manages a small grocery store in front of their home, where she sells snacks and drinks. In his free time, Channa enjoys reading the news, watching television, listening to music, and taking care of his daughter.

When he was 12 years old, Channa’s left leg was burned. Since then, he has experienced problems with the skin behind his kneecap. He has difficulty walking because he has a chronically swollen, open wound that often leaks from his skin contractures.

On a recommendation from a local taxi driver, Channa and his family traveled three hours seeking treatment from our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Doctors at CSC diagnosed Channa with a chronic ulcerating wound behind his left knee, and a wound debridement and free flap procedure was recommended. This is a reconstructive surgery technique that involves the transfer of skin from one area of the body to another, while maintaining blood supply.

After surgery, Channa’s wound should heal, and he will no longer experience pain or difficulty walking. Now, Channa needs help raising $991 to fund his procedure and care.

Channa shared, “I hope after the operation, I can go back to work to support my family, and I can walk again without pain.”

Channa is a 29-year-old husband and father from Cambodia. He and his wife have an eight-year-old daughter in first grade. His wife manages a...

Read more

Channa's Timeline

  • October 11, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 11, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Channa 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 12, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Channa's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • December 2, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Channa's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • February 28, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Channa's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 22 donors

Funded by 22 donors

Treatment
Free flap surgery
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $991 for Channa's treatment
Hospital Fees
$160
Medical Staff
$743
Medication
$0
Supplies
$80
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients often need this reconstruction technique following the removal of tumors or larger growths that resulted in prominent defects. This may include a skin defect due to an injury or a defect in the bone due to a non-union fracture or tumor.

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

Patients are functionally disabled, and risk infection or death without correction of these defects. When the defects are repaired, patients are able to return to a better function and higher quality of life.

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

For Cambodians, serious disabilities - whether from poverty or lack of medical care - may mean decreased earning capability and discrimination in the workforce.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The surgeon will select tissue in the body that will do the best job of restoring the function and the appearance of tissue destroyed by the defect. Surgeons look for suitable vessels to attach the flap.

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

Patients can have better physical function, acceptance in their community, and subsequently a higher quality of life; they can also increase their earning capability.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Poor healing, infection, bleeding, or rejection of the flap are risks. Patients need 6-8 weeks of recovery prior to resuming normal activity. Driving, exercise, or other strenuous activity could damage recovering tissues or open up wounds, which could result in the need for additional surgery or treatment.

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

CSC is the only center in Cambodia that regularly offers free vascularized flap procedures. Poor and disabled Cambodians come to CSC from all over the country. They usually stay in the hospital ward for 3-5 days, during which time they receive appropriate medicine, including anticoagulation and painkillers, and daily wound care until the flap has well settled. Many of our patients are from poor, rural areas in other provinces, often traveling four to eight hours on dirt or poorly constructed roads to receive care. Patients are referred for this treatment from local health care providers and clinics in their province, or from neighbors or relatives who received care at CSC.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

An alternative to functional muscle transfer in the case of a paralyzed arm is an amputation & shoulder fusion. For an open wound in the face or other areas, a local pedicle flap can be used but its reach and cosmetic concern are limiting factors. Skin grafting can be done only if there is no tendon or bone exposed. Patients often seek help from local Khmer healers, and this is almost always unsuccessful, but all the patient can afford until they learn about CSC.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Night

Meet Night, a jovial and playful five year old girl. Night lives with her parents and two younger siblings in a traditional home in Kenya. Her father works selling second hand clothing, while her mother stays home to take care of the children. Shortly after she was born, Night's parents realized that something seemed wrong. They brought Night to a health facility in Turkana County where they lived, and were referred on to BethanyKids Hospital. There she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which meant that fluid was collecting in her head. Surgery was performed, and a shunt was placed to continuously drain the fluid from Night's head. A year later, however, Night's head began to increase in size, and she developed weakness on the right side of her body. The doctors at the local health facility urged Night's parents to take her back to BethanyKids Hospital for additional treatment, but Night's parents didn't have enough money to do this. With the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Night is now scheduled to undergo a craniotomy on January 5th at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, when surgeons will drain excess fluids from Night's brain. Night's father is providing as much of a co-pay as possible for this procedure, but the family needs your help to raise the remaining $1,500 required to cover all of the costs of Night's surgery and care. Night’s father said: “Night is not able to communicate well because of her condition. This surgery will help her to be able to speak.”

57% funded

57%funded
$870raised
$630to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.