SAN DIEGO -- A Cambodian boy's life was recently dramatically changed after some San Diego doctors removed a severe deformity on his face.
Son Sin, 10, was born with a deformity that allowed his brain to protrude from his forehead.
"Son Sin was born with an unusual malformation where a portion of his brain was coming out through his skull bone in between his eyes onto the bridge of his nose," pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Hal Meltzer said.
Air Force Dr. David Snell discovered Son Sin during a humanitarian visit to Cambodia. The little boy lived in a tiny fishing village in a remote area of the country.
"I sort of made it my goal to try and get him back to where we could do definitive care," Snell said.
That definitive care was made possible through Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, Faces Plus and doctors at Children's Hospital in San Diego.
Faces Plus and FSSG are organizations that help transform the lives of disadvantaged children with physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse or disease.
Son Sin underwent surgery last week. Meltzer and craniofacial surgeon Dr. Steven Cohen removed the deformity from his face.
"He's just been a champ. He has an unbelievable spirit, and that combined with what we can do here will give him a fantastic life," Meltzer said.
A few days later, the bandages were removed and Son Sin got his first look at his new face.
For Son Sin, it was a miracle he never imagined. For the doctors, it was a dream realized.
"These cases like Son Sin are the reason why people become physicians," Meltzer said.
Son Sin said he is anxious to return to school and feel more like the other children he has grown up with.
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Boy With Deformed Face Undergoes Transformation
