The story of a Ukrainian woman who underwent a unique jaw surgery in the USA

A 21-year-old girl from the Lviv Region underwent a unique operation on her jaw in the USA, implanting a bone fragment from her own leg.

The patient’s story was told at the Okhmatdyt Lviv Regional Children’s Clinic.

Anna from Sambor is currently studying at the university. At birth, she was diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the jaw – a teratoma.

“It is translated from Greek as a monster. And it really is, because it contains very different tissues – hair, teeth, and a life-threatening malignant process. Little Anya’s monster was big – as much as 20 cm!” – they say in the hospital.

Anya and doctor Khrystyna Pogranichna

On the fourth day after birth, the girl was operated on. The tumor had to be removed along with half of the lower jaw, because there is no other way of treatment.

It was difficult for the child to suck, breathe and eat.

At the age of 9, the girl underwent reconstructive surgery. Professor Bernard Pavy closed the defect with the child’s own tissues obtained from the ninth rib, and fixed it with titanium elements. However, this was a short-term solution.

“The implant performed its function, but the bone has the ability to dissolve and the problem returned. Difficulty with food again, a cosmetic defect appeared again.” – they say in the medical facility.

However, Anya was able to enter the university on a budget and tried to lead a normal life: she studied English and made plans for the future.

In March 2023, a team of surgeons from the USA visited the Lviv “Okhmatdyt” and consulted more than 100 children, 20 of whom underwent surgery. Anya was also consulted by specialists.

After the examinations, the American-Ukrainian team offered Ania complex reconstructive surgery to close the defect using a bone fragment from her own leg. However, there was no equipment for such an intervention in Lviv, and it was risky to transport it to Ukraine during the war.

The patient, her father and her doctor Khrystyna Pogranichna were invited to the American state of Texas, where the operation was performed.

Team of US doctors. Photo: Khrystyna Pogranichna

Khrystyna Pogranichna was supposed to go to the USA for an internship. She says that in addition to studying, the reason for going to America was her special patient, who cannot be helped at home.

“I didn’t want to just accompany the patient. In order to perform operations of such complexity at home, I flew to the USA for an internship.” – says the doctor.

The operation was free for the Ukrainian woman

Planning the operation took about half a year. The doctors separated part of the leg bone together with the vessel and placed it in the area of ​​the defect in the jaw, before forming its anatomical features. The operation was free for the Ukrainian woman.

The doctors separated part of the leg bone together with the blood vessel and placed it in the area of ​​the defect in the jaw

The surgical intervention was successful. Local volunteers organized a program of excursions and entertainment for Anya.

“There are sincere people with good hearts in the USA, they pray for Ukraine”– says Anya.

Last week, the girl already returned to her native Sambor. Anya’s mother and two sisters were waiting for her.

As soon as the bone has finally healed, the implantologist will help Anya restore the tooth row on the left side. Perhaps the girl will have to undergo several more plastic surgeries for a cosmetic effect.

“In the future, I plan to put implants, strengthen the jaw and make a skin transplant on the chin. I want to study and get a diploma. In general, the impressions are wonderful. I did not expect that they would care about me so much and worry about me. In the USA, there are sincere people with good hearts, they pray for Ukraine”– says Anya.

Read also: For the first time in the world, doctors performed an operation on the brain of a baby in the womb