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Success! Phearun from Cambodia raised $572 to fund surgery to heal his wrist.

Phearun
100%
  • $572 raised, $0 to go
$572
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Phearun's treatment was fully funded on March 17, 2023.
October 24, 2022

Phearun is a 33-years-old gardener. His wife works in a hair and nail salon. Together they have an eight-year-old son in public school and a two-year-old son who stays home with family.

In October 2022, his left wrist was deeply lacerated, and he lost sensation in his fingers. His family took him to a government hospital for care but was unable to manage the nerve injury. Fortunately, the hospital transferred him to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, where doctors determined the laceration to his hand cut his nerves and tendons. This type of injury can cause damage to the nerves that control motor function and requires immediate nerve repair surgery to minimize long-term damage. Phearun has pain, weakness, numbness, loss of feeling, and doctors are unable to feel the pulses in his wrist.

Phearun traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. He will undergo an exploratory procedure to repair the lacerated nerves and tendons and needs help to pay for the $572 procedure. This will cover his hospitalization, operation, medications, and post-operative rehabilitation.

Phearun’s wife said: “We are hopeful after the surgery that my husband can use his hand again to work to support and feed our family.”

Phearun is a 33-years-old gardener. His wife works in a hair and nail salon. Together they have an eight-year-old son in public school and a...

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Phearun's Timeline

  • October 24, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 24, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Phearun was scheduled to receive 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 27, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Phearun's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 17, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Phearun's treatment was fully funded.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Phearun's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Funded by 6 donors

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment
Nerve and Tendon Repair
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $572 for Phearun's treatment
Hospital Fees
$92
Medical Staff
$429
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 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.

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.