Haiti
Update: Long term relief through Surgery Program
November 7, 2012
Dr. Patrick Dupont
Our new Surgical Support program is providing surgeries and follow up treatment for Children and Adults in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We will be posting the photos and updates on these surgeries periodically.
Berline Masse, 7 years old
DIAGNOSIS
Bilateral Tibia Vara
TREATMENT GOALS
Block the growth cartilage on the lateral side of the tibia with staples to incur growth on the medial side, thus improving deviation and hopefully any subsequent deviation.
PATIENT HISTORY
The patient was apparently diagnosed with this condition at 4 years of age. She has only been seen at St. Vincent School after an unknown and undocumented surgery at General Hospital last year, which appears to have exacerbated her condition. She presented to us with severe bilateral tibial angulation, more pronounced on the left side.
Ambulation is possible without pain, but with significant discomfort after sustained exercise or ambulation. Operated in September 2012.
Jennifer Mender, 8 years old
DIAGNOSIS
Metatarsus Adductus & Foot Hypogenesis
PROPOSED TREATMENT
Valgus osteotomy of metatarsal bones
TREATMENT GOALS
Realign the overall axis of the foot and eliminate pain on ambulation and shoe wearing
PATIENT HISTORY
Patient followed since birth at St. Vincent School for medial deviation of all metatarsal bones and hypogenesis of the right foot. She was apparently treated at first by corrective casts for more severe deviation.
With a currently 2 shoe size difference between her feet and painful deviation of the first digit of the affected foot, she experiences overall pain when walking and after prolonged shoe wearing. Operated in September 2012.
Stévancia Dieujuste, 5 years old
DIAGNOSIS
Unilateral Tibia Vara Deviation w/ underlying apparent Benign Bone Tumor on both Femur and Tibia
PROPOSED TREATMENT
Incisional biopsy of the tumor on the tibia, in order to ascertain histo-pathological status of the tumor before any corrective surgery.
PATIENT HISTORY
Bifocal benign tumor (femur + tibia), diagnosed three years ago without any classic malignant tumor related symptoms. New x-rays were done to evaluate axial deviation. We found a limb discrepancy of ~2.5 cms and severe tibia valgus deviation.
After discussions with a Pediatric Oncology Orthopedic Surgeon, it was decided that an accurate diagnosis of the tumor was needed before any type of surgery. Operated in September 2012.