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Choury is an 18 year old girl from Cambodia who needs $469 to fund jaw surgery so she can eat and drink more easily.

Choury
47%
  • $225 raised, $244 to go
$225
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$244
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December 6, 2022

Choury is a shy, 18 year old girl living with her widowed mother in Kandal province in Cambodia. Her brothers are all married and live away from home, while her mother works as a rainy day rice farmer. In her free time, Choury enjoys playing tennis, swimming, cooking, listening to music, and meeting with her friends.

Since Choury was about three months old, she has had problems with her mouth. For the past ten years, she has had frequent infections, accompanied by fevers, near her left ear, and stiffness near her temporomandibular joint - which connects the jaw to the skull. Because her father has passed away, her mother has not been able to afford any medical care for Choury.

Choury is unable to open her mouth, which makes it difficult for her to eat and drink, and she always wears a mask due to her low self-esteem resulting from her face and frequent infections. Choury has been diagnosed with recurrent ankylosis and chronic osteitis. The ankylosis - and the constant inflammation in her jawbone - cause severely limited jaw function, as well as oral hygiene and nutritional problems.

Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, can help. They plan to do surgery on December 6th at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre. Her family needs help with the $469 cost of her surgery and hospitalization. After surgery, Choury hopes she will be able to open her mouth, to speak better, and to no longer feel ashamed of her appearance.

Choury said: “I hope the doctors can help me open my mouth better, and look like other people my age. I am embarrassed at work and feel poorly. I have not been able to eat real food. This would make me very happy.”

Choury is a shy, 18 year old girl living with her widowed mother in Kandal province in Cambodia. Her brothers are all married and live away...

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Choury's Timeline

  • December 6, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Choury was submitted by Ellen Interlandi, Stakeholder Relations at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • December 6, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Choury 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.

  • December 9, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Choury's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Choury is currently raising funds for her treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

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

Funded by 10 donors

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment
Osteotomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $469 for Choury's treatment
Hospital Fees
$70
Medical Staff
$348
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?

Osteotomy is a surgical procedure used to correct bone abnormalities from trauma or disease. Without treatment, bone fractures or damage to growth plates may heal in angular, rotational, or shortened positions and result in deformity and loss of function. Arthritis is also a common indication for osteotomy, particularly if deformity is involved. Patients with arthritis suffer from pain and stiffness.

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

Misalignment of the bones not only creates discomfort and pain, but it can also make day-to-day tasks difficult or sometimes impossible. Deformity is also highly stigmatizing.

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

Due to lack of funds for speedy healthcare or inaccessibility, bone abnormalities are common due to delayed treatment. Cambodians often turn to Khmer traditional healers for bony deformities or even trauma and this also contributes to the development of deformities.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Pre-operative assessment with radiology is required to plan the procedure for each case. The surgeon will decide the best location to cut a part of the bone so that it results in an even distribution of weight across the bone or joint. This usually involves cutting out a wedge-shaped piece of bone to realign and adjust the angle at which the bone is positioned. Following correction, rigid internal or external fixation is used to hold the bone in place while it heals.

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

Deformity will be corrected, often months or years after its development and patients will immediately notice the benefits. Function will be restored, and pain should subside, which will enable patients to become mobile, undergo daily activities independently, and recommence work to support their families.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Blood clots are the most common complication of osteotomy procedures, but this can be avoided if patients are encouraged to mobilize early. As for any other surgical procedures, there may be complications such as infection and damage to surrounding nerves or vessels.

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

Treatment for bone-related injuries due to trauma or more chronic conditions such as arthritis is available at a local clinics and hospitals at a cost, which many patients may not be able to afford. Patients also often turn to traditional healers which result in unsuccessful treatment. Inadequate or delayed treatment can contribute to bone abnormalities and prolonged suffering. Patients travel as much as twelve hours to reach Children's Surgical Centre for free surgery, arriving by bus, motorbike, or taxi.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Traditional medicine is available, but with unsuccessful results.

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.