Facial reconstruction surgery gives new life to Mong girl

On July 29, 108 Military Central Hospital announced that in late July 2025, the hospital's Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery Center performed a 9-hour surgery to remove a tumor and reconstruct the face of a Mong girl.

The patient is VTTT, born in 2009, Mong ethnic group, living in Pung Luong commune, Mu Cang Chai district, Lao Cai province, a mountainous area with many difficulties.

Since childhood, T has lived without the love of his parents. The mandibular ameloblastoma disease developed day by day, disfiguring his face, hindering his daily activities, and severely affecting his spirit and quality of life. Because his family's circumstances were too difficult, he could not afford treatment.

On July 10, thanks to the help of philanthropists, the patient was taken to the 108 Military Central Hospital. When receiving the patient, the doctors not only saw a complicated case but also sympathized with the disadvantaged fate of the girl from the highlands.

With the approval of the Hospital Board of Directors, the Center for Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery decided to perform the surgery completely free of charge for the child.

The surgery was performed on July 28, after a thorough assessment and reconstruction of the lesion using modern 3D printing technology. The tumor measured 15x10x6 cm, destroying nearly 2/3 of the lower jaw bone. This was a major professional challenge.

Doctors chose advanced microsurgical techniques, taking the fibula from the patient's leg to reconstruct the lost lower jaw bone to restore facial shape and create the premise for future dental implants.

For 9 continuous hours, the surgical team of 7 doctors, led by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Quang Duc as the main surgeon, closely coordinated with the anesthesia team and nurses, successfully operated and removed the tumor on the patient's face.

After surgery, the patient received intensive care at the Intensive Care Center, 108 Central Military Hospital. Her health gradually stabilized and her face somewhat regained its original beauty.

Sharing about the case of patient VTTT, Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Quang Duc - Director of the Center for Craniofacial Surgery and Plastic Surgery emotionally said: "When we saw T entering the clinic with her face deformed by a tumor, we understood that what she needed was not only a successful surgery but also an opportunity for her to live up to her age: to smile, to go to school, to integrate with friends."

After surgery, T's face gradually regained balance, her eyes became brighter, that was the greatest reward for the medical staff of 108 Central Military Hospital.

According to the doctors, T will only need one surgery to stabilize, then will have dental implants, and is expected to be discharged after 1 week./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ca-mo-tai-tao-guong-mat-tai-sinh-cuoc-doi-cho-thieu-nu-nguoi-mong-post1052607.vnp