Face to Face Organization Helps in Vietnam

Last fall, six facial plastic surgeons with FACE TO FACE International, the pro-bono arm of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), conducted a Facial Plastic Surgery Review Course at the Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Known for its humanitarian work, FACE TO FACE makes this annual mission to Vietnam to deliver surgical training and care for Vietnamese patients. Cho Ray Hospital is the largest hospital in Vietnam, serving more than 9,000,000 people in Ho Chi Minh City alone. Under the direction of John Hodges, M.D.,  a senior FACE TO FACE advisor, AAFPRS surgeons conducted a two-day course on Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and treated patients in need. More than 20 surgeries were completed, including demonstrations of scar revision, advanced rhinoplasty techniques including reconstructive work to correct cleft lip and nasal deformities. One such beneficiary of this program is Yen. Yen suffered severe facial soft tissue trauma in a motor bike accident as a child.  She was left with a disfiguring nasal deformity and disfiguring scars. Three years ago, the FACE TO FACE International team performed a near total nasal reconstruction using a paramedian forehead flap and conchal cartilage grafting for Yen. This year, Yen received revision surgery to further help her healing process, and better support her ability to breath through her nose. The surgeries have not only transformed her appearance, but given her the confidence to make eye contact with others again.