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Tribune News Network
Doha
The multidisciplinary paediatric and surgical teams at Sidra Medicine have saved the life of a baby born with multiple life-threatening malformations.
Komail was born with several complex congenital and craniofacial anomalies, such as cleft palate, bilateral microtia (both ears deformed); arrhinia (absence of the nose); and severe micrognathia (undersized jaw) resulting in upper airway obstruction. After birth, he was immediately transferred from another hospital to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Sidra Medicine.
Commenting on Komail’s first hours, his mother Shaista Perveen, said: “We were worried for Komail. How was he going to survive, what kind of care would he need and how would we cope with? As soon as we stepped through the doors at Sidra Medicine, little we knew how this hospital and its people would change our lives.”
Sidra Medicine and its paediatric specialty teams were well equipped to handle the complex requirements related to Komail’s care and treatment.
Dr Helmut D Hummler, division chief of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sidra Medicine, said: “Komail’s care was handled by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and nurses, which included teams from the NICU and other subspecialties such as plastic and craniofacial surgery, otolaryngology, paediatric anesthesiology and audiology. He also received holistic support from Allied Health teams, including respiratory therapists, dieticians and speech, language and occupational therapists. Family-centred psychologists and social workers also supported Komail and his family during this critical time,” continued Dr Hummler.
Over the course of eight months at Sidra Medicine, Komail underwent multiple life-saving procedures while he received round-the-clock care from the NICU team. Komail was on a ventilator for the first six months because of breathing difficulties due to the severe upper airway obstruction.
Dr Mitchell Stotland, chief of Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery at Sidra Medicine, said, “Komail’s main issue that needed to be addressed was his inability to move air through his nose and mouth. Therefore, while our colleagues in Otolaryngology worked to create a nasal opening that would accommodate a breathing tube, we went ahead to lengthen his lower jaw bone enough to bring his tongue forward to help clear his upper airway for spontaneous breathing.”
At four weeks of age, Komail underwent a first procedure in which the bones on both sides of his jaw were cut and an implantable distraction device was inserted which allowed for twice daily lengthening of the jaw bone over a period of a few weeks. In total, approximately 35 mms of length was added to Komail’s lower jaw.
Dr Patrick Sheehan, senior attending physician of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Sidra Medicine, performed Komail’s tracheostomy.
Following the tracheostomy, Komail also needed to be fitted with a hearing device as he wasn’t able to hear at normal levels.
“I remember every moment of the day Komail was fitted with a hearing aid at Sidra Medicine’s Audiology clinic while under the care of Dr Nel Govender. That beautiful little smile when he could hear clearly will forever remain etched as a wonderful milestone for my baby,” said Perveen.
After eight months at Sidra Medicine, and with the most of his life-saving treatment complete, Komail was discharged from the hospital.
In an emotional message to the team at Sidra Medicine, Shaista Perveen acknowledged the support she received during her son’s stay at the hospital.
“My family and I have now relocated to Europe. Our hearts are filled with joy to see how far he has come. He has started crawling. He claps, dances and enjoys music. I am lucky my son survived and to have had a hospital like Sidra Medicine beside me during the critical time. I love Sidra Medicine and its teams for their immeasurable help. I can truly state that Sidra Medicine is one of the best hospitals.”
Doha
The multidisciplinary paediatric and surgical teams at Sidra Medicine have saved the life of a baby born with multiple life-threatening malformations.
Komail was born with several complex congenital and craniofacial anomalies, such as cleft palate, bilateral microtia (both ears deformed); arrhinia (absence of the nose); and severe micrognathia (undersized jaw) resulting in upper airway obstruction. After birth, he was immediately transferred from another hospital to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Sidra Medicine.
Commenting on Komail’s first hours, his mother Shaista Perveen, said: “We were worried for Komail. How was he going to survive, what kind of care would he need and how would we cope with? As soon as we stepped through the doors at Sidra Medicine, little we knew how this hospital and its people would change our lives.”
Sidra Medicine and its paediatric specialty teams were well equipped to handle the complex requirements related to Komail’s care and treatment.
Dr Helmut D Hummler, division chief of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sidra Medicine, said: “Komail’s care was handled by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and nurses, which included teams from the NICU and other subspecialties such as plastic and craniofacial surgery, otolaryngology, paediatric anesthesiology and audiology. He also received holistic support from Allied Health teams, including respiratory therapists, dieticians and speech, language and occupational therapists. Family-centred psychologists and social workers also supported Komail and his family during this critical time,” continued Dr Hummler.
Over the course of eight months at Sidra Medicine, Komail underwent multiple life-saving procedures while he received round-the-clock care from the NICU team. Komail was on a ventilator for the first six months because of breathing difficulties due to the severe upper airway obstruction.
Dr Mitchell Stotland, chief of Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery at Sidra Medicine, said, “Komail’s main issue that needed to be addressed was his inability to move air through his nose and mouth. Therefore, while our colleagues in Otolaryngology worked to create a nasal opening that would accommodate a breathing tube, we went ahead to lengthen his lower jaw bone enough to bring his tongue forward to help clear his upper airway for spontaneous breathing.”
At four weeks of age, Komail underwent a first procedure in which the bones on both sides of his jaw were cut and an implantable distraction device was inserted which allowed for twice daily lengthening of the jaw bone over a period of a few weeks. In total, approximately 35 mms of length was added to Komail’s lower jaw.
Dr Patrick Sheehan, senior attending physician of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Sidra Medicine, performed Komail’s tracheostomy.
Following the tracheostomy, Komail also needed to be fitted with a hearing device as he wasn’t able to hear at normal levels.
“I remember every moment of the day Komail was fitted with a hearing aid at Sidra Medicine’s Audiology clinic while under the care of Dr Nel Govender. That beautiful little smile when he could hear clearly will forever remain etched as a wonderful milestone for my baby,” said Perveen.
After eight months at Sidra Medicine, and with the most of his life-saving treatment complete, Komail was discharged from the hospital.
In an emotional message to the team at Sidra Medicine, Shaista Perveen acknowledged the support she received during her son’s stay at the hospital.
“My family and I have now relocated to Europe. Our hearts are filled with joy to see how far he has come. He has started crawling. He claps, dances and enjoys music. I am lucky my son survived and to have had a hospital like Sidra Medicine beside me during the critical time. I love Sidra Medicine and its teams for their immeasurable help. I can truly state that Sidra Medicine is one of the best hospitals.”
