Girl Injured in Baghdad Blast Undergoes Successful
Reconstructive Surgery at UCLA Medical Center
Humanitarian groups helped bring young war victim to UCLA for
treatment
After a series of reconstructive surgeries at UCLA Medical Center, Marwa
Naim, a 12 year old Iraqi girl who suffered the loss of her nose when
an explosive struck her family’s home in northern Baghdad, will
soon return home with a chance for a new life.
“When we heard about Marwa’s condition, we immediately
wanted to help in any way we could,” said Dr. Timothy Miller,
chief of plastic surgery at UCLA Medical Center. “She had
lost her entire nose, which is a devastating injury for anyone,
particularly a beautiful, young, 12-year-old girl. We have had
considerable experience in reconstructing noses from both traumatic
injuries and following the removal of large skin cancers from
the nose. Using our experience, we were anxious to help her resume
as normal a life as possible.”
“After hearing about Marwa, and seeing photographs of
her nasal injuries, I knew we could help her with the techniques
we have to offer here at UCLA,” said Dr. George Rudkin,
assistant professor of plastic surgery. “It was a pleasure
to meet Marwa and an honor to be able to assist in her care and
recovery.”
Naim’s injuries left her without a nose. Without existing
cartilage and very little skin to work with, surgeons used a
fascinating centuries-old technique to rebuild her nose.
In a series of four outpatient surgeries that began in February
and concluded in late May, doctors transferred a flap of skin
from her forehead and folded it down to created a new nose. The
shape of the tip was achieved by using grafts of cartilage taken
from Naim’s ear. In the last two procedures, scar revisions
and aesthetic refinements were made.
“I am very happy with my new nose and it looks like it
did before my injury,” Naim said. “Regardless of
how hard it was to go through four surgeries, it was worth it.”
   
Photos provided by UCLA Senior Photographer Michelle Van Vliet
Naim’s long, brave journey to Los Angeles was arranged
through the diligent efforts of several humanitarian organizations.
According to the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC),
her story began during the last days of the fight for Baghdad
in April 2003, when an aerial shell struck the home of her family,
located in the Mada’en district in northern Baghdad. The
shell exploded, razing the family’s home and killing the
mother of four children.
Naim, the eldest daughter, sustained significant injuries. She
was admitted to the emergency room at a local hospital and was
treated for wounds to her face and extremities. During her hospitalization,
her thumb was amputated. The family was unable to afford the
costs of the sophisticated medical surgery required to repair
the very noticeable damage to her face.
After hearing of her case, several organizations joined forces
to help. International Relief and Development (IRD), first found
Naim while working to provide her unemployed father with a grocery
store, as part of their income-generation program under the Marla
Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund. IRD contacted CIVIC and asked
for help in coordinating efforts to have her taken out of Iraq
for medical attention.
The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, along with its network
of volunteers, and the International Office on Migration, stepped
in to assist with Naim’s travel to and stay in the United
States. UCLA’s Department of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery and UCLA Medical Center agreed to cover the costs of
Naim’s reconstructive surgery, assuming all fees associated
with her care. UCLA’s Department of Dermatology donated
Naim’s laser treatments.
“Marwa represents thousands of Iraqis who need help to
rebuild their lives,” said Sarah Holewinski, executive
director of CIVIC. “All the organizations involved in this
success story are proud of Marwa and wish her the best of luck.”
Naim’s visit in Los Angeles has been busy — she
started learning English, visited many popular tourist attractions,
learned to ride a bike and enjoyed playing basketball, running
and swimming.
“I came to Los Angeles, America, for surgery and I am
very happy to meet all of you, and I wish you to help other kids
from all over the world like you helped me,” Naim said
through her interpreter.
Later this month, Naim will return home to her family in Iraq.
With the physical injuries of the blast repaired, she plans to
return to school and hopes eventually to study business administration.
The UCLA Cosmetic Surgery Center and the UCLA Division of Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgery are dedicated to providing patients
with state-of-the-art care in a safe, comfortable setting. All
plastic surgeons are board-certified and university faculty members.
For more information, please visit www.uclaplasticsurgery.com. For more information on donating to the plastic surgery patient
fund, please call (310) 794-7180.
More information ....
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=4264154
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/9359239/detail.html?rss=la&psp=news
http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_163175213.html
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