When our Interplast volunteer surgical team met baby Andrew in Tonga earlier this year, his life was in the balance. A severe cleft lip and palate meant that the seven-month-old could not feed properly. “The milk goes in and comes straight back out,” said Anaesthetist Dr. Lian Pfitzner. Andrew was malnourished, and his immune system was terribly weak. He was dehydrated and had suffered repeated bouts of gastroenteritis, with multiple trips to intensive care fighting life-threatening infections. | Baby Andrew and Mum pre-operation  |
“This poor little boy was underweight and fragile,” said surgeon Dr. David Morgan.
Without immediate attention, Andrew may not have survived.
Because of his poor health meant he had also contracted conjunctivitis. The doctors explained to his mother that Andrew’s body didn’t have many reserves for wound healing.
Andrew was sent home for the weekend with a round of antibiotics. It was an anxious wait to see if he would be well enough for surgery.
“If he has his operation straightaway his lip will probably get infected and break down,” Dr. Pfitzner said.
Interplast teams have been visiting Tonga annually since 1984, providing surgery to people who need it, and teaching local medical staff the skills that allow them to help the Tongan people year-round.
On this latest trip, our team performed 36 life-changing operations – from young babies through to the elderly. It’s a small insight into the way our teams change futures year-round across the Asia Pacific, and it only happens with your support.
Thankfully, after the weekend Andrew returned well enough for a successful operation to repair his cleft lip.
Dr. Pfitzner said the change was remarkable. Before the surgery, Andrew was a hungry, grizzly baby; afterward, he was content, sleepy and starting to feed better.
The impact on his mom was profound too. Before surgery, she looked exhausted and anxious. Afterward, she was a different person – smiling, weeping tears of joy and looking more relaxed and well.
But this was only the start of Andrew’s journey back to full health.
Our surgeons tell us that the lip and palate usually can’t be repaired at the same time – and particularly for a small, unwell baby such as Andrew. He needs time to grow and gain enough health and weight to cope with the next operation. Our surgeons need to return to Tonga when Andrew is well enough to repair his palate, and then again when he is older and fully healthy to separate the fused digits on his hands.
Together we can ensure that Andrew and other children and adults receive the life-changing surgery that they need.
Please contact Elizabeth Wright your Interplast District Chair to donate and join the 9930 Challenge to raise funds for a District funded Medical Team to give the quality of life for those like Baby Andrew forever.
Elizabeth Wright
027 223 8921