[Life] Taiwan's medical breakthrough crosses borders: Taipei Medical University Hospital helps Nigerian girl with imperforate anus to be reborn.
bellala 央廣6h ago
A 7-year-old Nigerian girl, Miracle, suffers from congenital imperforate anus, making it impossible for her to excrete and eat normally since birth. She could only rely on a temporary colostomy to sustain her life. After a long wait and extensive efforts, Miracle traveled thousands of miles to Taipei Medical University Hospital for treatment. The medical team spent 4 months completing the anal reconstruction and intestinal reconstruction surgery. Now, Miracle can eat and excrete normally, embarking on a new healthy life.
Due to limited local medical resources after birth, Miracle did not receive complete anal reconstruction surgery and could only rely on a temporary colostomy. Miracle's mother, Jennifer, revealed that due to financial reasons, Miracle had no dedicated ostomy bags for many years. Initially, she could only cover the stoma with diapers, later switching to bandages that were repeatedly washed and reused. Due to the illness, Miracle's development was also slower, with her height and weight lagging behind children of the same age. Coupled with an enlarged abdomen, she endured strange looks throughout her childhood. To give Miracle a glimmer of hope for treatment, Jennifer sold her family's only possessions and embarked on a long and arduous cross-border medical journey with her child. The mother and daughter arrived in Taiwan on March 5th, beginning their reconstruction journey at TMUH.
Led by Dr. Fu-Huan Huang, Vice Superintendent of the Department of Surgery and Director of Pediatric Surgery at TMUH, a multidisciplinary team comprising pediatric critical care, nursing, radiology, and the international medical center was formed to develop a treatment strategy. Dr. Huang stated that imperforate anus is a congenital intestinal malformation. If a normal defecation pathway is not reconstructed in time, it not only affects nutrient absorption and growth but can also lead to recurrent infections, reducing quality of life. Furthermore, in addition to intestinal dysfunction, genitourinary malformations may also be present, making surgical and anesthesia risks higher than in general cases. Preoperative examination and evaluation are necessary to confirm intestinal structure and genitourinary function to achieve the best treatment outcome within the limited stay period.
The medical team spent 4 months completing the critical treatment in two phases. The first phase involved analplasty to establish a normal defecation pathway, and the second phase completed the intestinal reconstruction and closure of the temporary colostomy, gradually restoring digestive tract function. Post-surgery, Miracle can now eat smoothly through her mouth and defecate normally through the reconstructed anus. Her weight is steadily increasing, and her appetite and mental state have significantly improved. Miracle happily shared, "I can finally go to the toilet like other children."
Dr. Chun-Ming Shih, Superintendent of TMUH, stated that this treatment not only demonstrates TMUH's medical expertise but also highlights the value of medicine, which is not just about treating diseases but also about bringing change and hope to lives. TMUH also expresses special gratitude to the Taiwan Root Medical Rescue Organization Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the medical team for their joint efforts, allowing Taiwanese medicine to transcend borders and become a warm force protecting health and hope.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=215866
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