Hussein, 12 years old, he finally returned to Iraq after facing three delicate surgical operations and a year of treatment at theMeyer pediatric hospital in Florence.
When he arrived in Italy, the child could neither speak nor eat normally because of one severe venous malformation involving the oral cavity, cheek, tongue and lower lip.
This condition prevented him from even closing his mouth. Today, thanks to the care received, Hussein he has a new face, he can talk, eat and, thanks to the hospital school, he also learned to read and write.
Hussein had come to Italy from Iraq through the association Emergenza Sorrisi Onlus and, as soon as he arrived, he was taken care of by the Meyer team led by Professor Flavio Facchini, specialist in pediatric reconstructive plastic surgery.
The various phases of Hussein's operations
The medical journey was complex and detailed. Initially, the team of bronchoscopists, under the guidance of Dr. Roberto Baggi, he executed a tracheotomy to ensure safety during the subsequent stages of treatment.
Subsequently, in collaboration with the Careggi hospital and with the support of Dr. Nicola Limbucci, responsible for Neurovascular Interventional, several were carried out sclero-embolizations. This treatment made it possible to “dry” the lesion from the inside through the administration of a chemotherapy drug.
They followed surgeries to reduce the lip and completely reconstruct the tongueusing cutting-edge techniques for the correction of vascular anomalies. The operations, performed in collaboration with the Meyer neurosurgical team led by Doctor Lorenzo Genitori, they stood out for the use of a special suturing technique which significantly reduced the risk of bleeding.
Finally, a few days ago, the tracheotomy hole was also surgically closed, marking the conclusion of a long and delicate journey for Hussein. The moment was celebrated with a video call to his family in Iraqduring which the child, excited, said to his little sister: “Finished!”.
In addition to doctors and nurses, a fundamental role was played by the hospital psychology service, who supported Hussein and his mother from the beginning of the delicate journey of acceptance and care.
Now Hussein has returned home, where he has reunited with his father and brother who were waiting for him together with the madre.
Hussein
