Success! Vannouk from Cambodia raised $495 to fund burn contracture surgery on his left leg.

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$495 raised, $0 to go

$495

raised

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Vannouk's story
Vannouk's update

May 5, 2022

Vannouk is a 12-year-old student. He is in 5th grade and his best subject is math. In the future Vannouk wants to work at a bank. He has one younger brother and one younger sister. Vannouk’s parents are farmers. After school he enjoys reading books, exercising, and watching TV. Vannouk told us his favorite meal is Khmer noodles and orange juice.

In March 2021, Vannouk was burned by fire on both legs. After the accident, Vannouk’s family took him to a Children’s hospital where he stayed for four months receiving treatment. Now, he has scar contractures and a wound on his left leg that is not healing and limits his mobility.

When Vannouk’s family learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, they traveled for two hours seeking treatment for the scar contracture. On May 5th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. His family has raised $100 towards his treatment, but they need $495 to fully fund this procedure.

Vannouk’s mother says, “I hope after surgery my son can walk well like before and he can return to school without problems.”

Vannouk is a 12-year-old student. He is in 5th grade and his best subject is math. In the future Vannouk wants to work at a bank. He has one...

Photo of Vannouk post-operation

October 18, 2022

Vannouk underwent burn contracture surgery on his left leg.

Vannouk was burned by a fire on both legs and the damage impacted his ability to move properly. With your support, Vannouk has recently undergone a successful surgery to release his burn contractures and replace the damaged skin with a skin and muscle graft, and now will finally have full use of his leg upon recovery. As an adolescent, it is important to physically keep up with his friends to avoid social stigma, and he is fortunate that this surgery will allow him to do that.

Vannouk’s mother said: “Vannouk is excited that he can have full use of both legs. He is more positive about his future and happy to go to school. We are grateful to the staff at the hospital and the people who gave money so he could have this operation. Thank you.”

Vannouk was burned by a fire on both legs and the damage impacted his ability to move properly. With your support, Vannouk has recently unde...

May 5, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Vannouk was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
May 5, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Vannouk 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.
May 5, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Vannouk's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 12, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Vannouk's treatment was fully funded.
October 18, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Vannouk's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 11 donors

Treatment

Burn Contracture Release Surgery

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $495 for Vannouk's treatment

Hospital Fees

$171

Medical Staff

$273

Medication

Supplies

$43

Labs

Radiology

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

The patient will have burns on one or multiple areas of his or her body, which can be both functionally limiting and cosmetically uncomfortable. Burns can become infected and necrotic. Scars or contractures may form where the individual has been burned. This causes the skin to tighten, making it difficult for the patient to move the affected area. This condition can limit function, especially if the contractures form on the patient's hand.

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

Contracture burns are common on young children's hands and feet, and they limit their mobility. As children grow older, they often become uncomfortable about the appearance of the burns.

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

Many Cambodian homes use open cooking fires, which increase the risk of accidental burns.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

During a debridement procedure, the burned skin is removed under general anesthesia. If there is any necrotic tissue, it is removed by a sharp dissection and cleaned with antiseptic agents. Once good granulation tissues are seen, the area is covered with a skin graft donated from the upper arm or thigh. When scars or contractures form (usually within one month after the burn), a z-plasty is needed. Surgeons make a z-shaped incision along the contracture area and release the tightened tissue. Dressings are applied. Additional post-operative care might involve physiotherapy and pressure garments.

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

Patients will experience increased function, reduced pain, and a much lower risk of infection.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

If less than 40% of the body is burned, these burns can be effectively treated through debridement, skin graft, and contracture release treatments. There is a risk of infection, but this can be managed with various forms of daily dressings.

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

Skin grafts and other burn treatments are accessible at local clinics and hospitals. However, if patients are poor, they often resort to traditional healers.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Traditional medicine is available, but with unsuccessful results.

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Sorn is a 49-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He lives in Takeo province with his wife, son, and daughter. His wife is a seamstress at a local clothes factory, his son is a construction worker, and his daughter manages the house and cooks for the family. In his free time, Sorn likes to fish or find crabs in the rice fields. In early July, Sorn was on his motorbike when he collided with a small truck. He fractured both his right tibia and his right ulna. Sorn had surgery at a local government hospital but his leg incision site has become infected. He experiences pain, swelling, and discharge from the wound. Sorn is currently unable to walk and cannot work. When Sorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 19th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove the damaged and infected tissue from Sorn's wound. Now, Sorn needs help to fund this $324 procedure. Sorn said, "after surgery, I hope my leg will heal and I will walk normally again."

Vannouk's Timeline

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Funded by 11 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.