Korea University Anam Hospital Gives New Life to a Madagascar Woman with Giant Neurofibromatosis

Korea University Anam Hospital has gifted a new life to a patient from Madagascar suffering from neurofibromatosis by covering all hospital and surgery costs.

On the 24th, Korea University Anam Hospital announced the successful completion of surgery for Rasoa Andrasana Baozulu, a 30-year-old female patient from Madagascar. 

Madagascar, located in southeastern Africa, has an impoverished medical environment. Baozulu's condition, giant neurofibromatosis, is a type of neurocutaneous syndrome that involves abnormalities in the skin and central nervous system. It is a disease where tumors form quickly due to a genetic mutation that reduces the cell division inhibition function. In Baozulu's case, the tumor had grown large enough to entirely cover her right eye and face, severely limiting her vision and preventing her from going outside with her children.

Missionary Lee Jae-hoon, who has been providing medical services in Madagascar for over 20 years, discovered Baozulu and requested treatment from his alma mater, Korea University. Through collaboration with the international NGO GIC, Baozulu entered South Korea on the 17th of last month.

A multidisciplinary consultation involving Professor Jung Jae-ho of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Professor Jung Kwang-yoon of the Department of Otolaryngology, and Professor Lee Hwa of the Department of Ophthalmology at Ansan Hospital led to three surgeries for Baozulu. Through these treatments, most of her facial nerves were reconstructed, achieving bilateral symmetry and restoring her face to its childhood appearance as much as possible. Vision was also restored to her right eye, which the tumor had utterly obscured.

Professor Jung Jae-ho of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Anam Hospital, who led the surgery, said, "The neurofibromatosis was so large that there was a significant risk of bleeding, making it a challenging surgery, but I am pleased that we were able to complete it successfully. I hope Baozulu can find new hope and live a healthy life with her beloved children."

Baozulu expressed her gratitude, saying, "I don't know how to thank Professor Jung Jae-ho and all the medical staff at Korea University Hospital enough. I am so happy with the surgery and satisfied with my new face. I sincerely thank you for your care."

Dr. Han Seung-beom, the director of Korea University Anam Hospital, stated, "I am extremely pleased to be able to give a new life to Ms. Baozulu, who was most distressed by the psychological constraints of not being able to go outside with her children due to her facial condition."