Berhanu's Life-Saving Spine Surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Berhanu was an 8-year old orphan living in a rural village in Ethiopia.

Suffering from severe scoliosis, Berhanu had no access to sufficient healthcare until arriving at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Mending Kids International brought the young man to a host family in the United State, to care for him during his visit to receive life-saving medical treatment.

His life-threatening scoliosis—a particularly serious case—required two surgeries. In addition, Berhanu exhibited a heart murmur, deafness in one ear and a deformed right hand.

Advanced techniques used at the Children's Orthopaedic Center meant that Berhanu never needed to have screws put in his skull to straighten his spine, which would normally be the standard of care provided in cases like Berhanu's.

In addition, Berhanu's hand deformity was treated with plastic surgery to give him more function.

Care from our hospital was coordinated by teams within our:

*Orthopaedic Center
http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.3764315/

*Division of Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery
http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.3764395/k.45D9/Plastic_and_Maxillofa...

Staff Members Featured
*Dr. Andre Panossian
*Dr. Colleen Sabatini
*Dr. David Skaggs

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• scoliosis
• orthopedic
• surgery
• hospital
• healthcare
• spine
• spinal
• plastic
• hand
• deformity
• orthopaedic

[SoulReaperRX]

Wow this inspires me to be a doctor this is why I keep pushing for my dream!

[G7X3]

This is amazing these doctors do so much!

[lisahungerford1]

We had so much fun fishing with Birhanu Today!!! He is one amazing little boy!! I was blessed to spend the morning chatting with you Caroline!! You are an amazing woman and I love your story and your love your love for this exceptional boy!

[gettingcountry101]

@ILuvMusicForEvr9 he is my back dr. too i just had 4 back surguries with him and his team this past summer. he is the best scoliosis / spine dr ever out there.

[ILuvMusicForEvr9]

dr skaggs is my back doctor currently! and hes on youtube!! ahaha