National Taiwan University Hsin-Chu Hospital
Last Update:2023-07-26
The Department of Reconstructive Surgery at National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch successfully performed a groundbreaking two-stage surgery to separate the fingers of a Jordanian boy, who was less than 2 years old and diagnosed with Apert Syndrome. The skilled medical team, comprising surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and specialists from various disciplines, worked tirelessly to achieve the remarkable outcome of separating both hands' five fingers. The boy's parents expressed profound gratitude for the exceptional care and treatment provided by the Taiwanese medical team, and the hospital celebrated the boy's new lease on life with a grand cake-cutting ceremony, looking forward to his bright future and being able to give others a "high five."
Dr. Huang Bo-Cheng, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, explained that the young boy, Eyas, was of Jordanian-Palestinian origin and was born with Apert Syndrome. The condition manifested with craniofacial deformities due to premature fusion of the skull sutures, cleft palate, and syndactyly (fused digits) of the hands and feet. In July last year, the boy's mother, a student on exchange at National Chiao Tung University, sought medical advice, well aware of Taiwan's excellent medical expertise. After consulting with Dr. Huang and Dr. Hsieh Meng-Hsiang, Head of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at National Taiwan University Hospital, a treatment plan was devised that involved multiple surgeries to address the various symptoms. Given the limited time in Taiwan, the parents opted for a phased approach, starting with the separation of the fused fingers.
The first surgery was conducted in August last year, with evaluations of cardiopulmonary function by Dr. Fu Jun-Min from the Pediatrics Department, brain structure assessment by Dr. Hsu Chia-Jui, and pre-operative evaluation by Dr. Kung Chia-Chi from the Anesthesiology Department. Under the guidance of Dr. Hsieh Meng-Hsiang and the skillful hands of Dr. Huang Bo-Cheng and Dr. Zhao Song-Quan from Pediatric Plastic Surgery, the separation of both hands' fifth fingers was successfully completed. Post-operative care progressed smoothly, and the boy was discharged at the end of August to return home.
Satisfied with the medical standards at National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, the boy's parents returned last month for the second surgery. Dr. Huang Bo-Cheng successfully separated the boy's second, third, and fourth fingers of both hands. Following meticulous care in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit by Dr. Fu Jun-Min and Dr. Liu Hsin-Ming, the boy was transferred to a regular ward, where the wound healed steadily. With the assistance of the medical team, he was discharged in good condition and is currently undergoing follow-up treatments at the outpatient clinic.
Dr. Huang Bo-Cheng explained that Apert Syndrome is a rare congenital condition with a prevalence of one in twenty thousand births, caused by an autosomal dominant genetic mutation. It equally affects both males and females and is mostly the result of new mutations. Prenatal chromosome diagnosis can be employed to prevent the birth of another affected child. Apert Syndrome may lead to craniosynostosis (premature closure of skull sutures), resulting in flat head, midface retrusion, proptosis (bulging eyes), syndactyly (fused fingers), and improper teeth occlusion. Other internal organs and structures may also be affected, and cognitive development can be impacted. While the syndrome cannot be cured, surgical interventions can correct the appearance.
Treatment typically involves cranial reconstruction to relieve pressure before the age of one, forehead and upper orbital osteotomy, sequential finger separation surgery before the age of three, midface advancement surgery before the age of seven, and orthodontic and maxillofacial surgery in adulthood. Rehabilitation, psychological support, and physical therapy are essential components of the treatment.
Dr. Hung Kuan-Yu, the hospital director, emphasized that the treatment for syndactyly aims to restore both functional and aesthetic aspects of the hands. Thorough pre-operative evaluations, precise planning of vascular and neural distribution, and designing the configuration of skin flaps between fused fingers are crucial to the success of the separation surgery. Additionally, post-operative wound care, infection prevention, and rehabilitation are key focus areas of the treatment.
This heartwarming case highlights the exceptional medical expertise and compassionate care provided by the medical team at National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, bringing new hope and a brighter future to the young boy with Apert Syndrome. The hospital remains committed to providing top-notch medical services to patients from around the world, truly embodying the spirit of "Give Me Five" as a symbol of triumph and success.