IRAQI WOMAN GETS RARE FACE SURGERY

Deccan Chronicle, May 11,2010, Hyderabad

by, Correspondent

Hyderabad, May 11: A city doctor has performed a rare facial reconstructive surgery on an Iraqi woman, who was severely injured in a bomb blast two years ago.

Ms Sophia Mohiadeen, 30, suffered severe fractures on the right side of her face with her nose, jaws, cheek bones, teeth and eyelids damaged.

She came to the city last month and was operated upon 18 days ago.

Dr Debraj Shome, who performed the surgery, said, “It was a complicated case. Nine bones of her face and nose were fractured and setting them right was very challenging.

We had to re-fracture and re-position the bone fragments and then re-unite them with titanium plates and screws.

This is not an easy task. It’s a very delicate surgery, for the face has several nerves which control facial animation.

Even the slightest slip can damage a crucial structure of the face.
The nine-hour surgery was successful and Ms Mohiadeen, who had lost hope after several earlier attempts for restructuring her face failed, feels happy.

“She was a beautiful woman leading a happy life, but the bomb blast changed her life. Earlier, she underwent surgery in Jordan without any success. But now, after this surgery, even though she has lost her right eye, she feels like she has got a new life,” said Ms Nikham Mohiadeen, Ms Sophia Mohiadeen’s sister.

Breakthrough achievement  :

• The doctor opened the face by pulling down the facial skin.

• All the mal-united fractures were re-fractured and aligned so that the face becomes symmetrical.

• They were re-united with titanium plates and screws.

• The nose which was bent towards right-hand side, was brought to the centre through rhinoplasty.

The thickness of the nose was reduced as the scar tissue was made thinner to appear aesthetic. 

To see the video of this woman and her surgery, click here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0RcsvllF78