Performing reconstructive surgery for congenital facial deformities in the maxillofacial region for pediatric patients is a challenging field, not commonly chosen by female healthcare professionals.

However, over the past 10 years, Dr Le Thi Thu Ha, Deputy Head of the Ophthalmology - ENT - Maxillofacial Department, has been the pioneering leader in this field at the Da Nang Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital. With her wholehearted dedication and skilled hands, she has brought happiness to many pediatric patients in Central Viet Nam.

Doctor Le Thi Thu Ha (second, right) performing cleft lip surgery for a pediatric patient. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Concerns and aspirations

In 2010, Dr Ha began working at the Da Nang Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital. At that time, performing reconstructive surgery for congenital facial deformities for patients was not yet possible at the medical facility due to inadequate equipment and insufficiently trained medical personnel.

Meanwhile, congenital deformities such as cleft lips and palates were becoming increasingly common, leading to a rising number of patients seeking examination, surgery, and treatment.

"These deformities have various causes. They may be due to genetic factors, maternal flu virus infection during pregnancy, maternal smoking or alcohol consumption during the first three months of pregnancy, or exposure to harmful working environments. Children born with cleft lips and palates suffer great difficulties not only in eating and communicating but also experiencing significant psychological impacts on their development. Feelings of self-consciousness, inferiority, and even depression can hinder their normal development and prevent them from realising their full potential" Dr Ha explained.

The Da Nang Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital receives many patients from other provinces such as Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Central Highlands for treatment. Seeing the increasing number of babies with cleft lips and palates brought by their parents and relatives to the hospital for medical examination and treatment, Dr Ha and her colleagues in the department couldn't help but feel deeply concerned.

This great concern served as a motivation for Dr Ha and the medical staff of the Ophthalmology - ENT - Maxillofacial Department to seek ways to approach, learn and master the techniques of reconstructive surgery for congenital facial deformities.

The opportunity truly came with the collaboration and technology transfer programme between the Ho Chi Minh City-based Children's Hospital No.1 and the Da Nang Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital, supported by the charitable organization Smile Train (USA).

This programme was not merely a medical activity but also a social bridge, connecting kind-hearted individuals within and outside the country, thereby timely supporting and sharing the difficulties and misfortunes of patients.

Considered the "father" of this programme, in 2013, Dr Nguyen Van Dau, who was then the Head of the Maxillofacial Department at the Children's Hospital No.1, and also the Chairman of the Da Nang Fellow Countrymen's Association in Ho Chi Minh City, made return trips not only to transfer technology, perform surgeries, teach, and guide the local doctors here but also give in-kind donations to needy patients.

The combination of professional activities and charitable endeavours in the surgical programme had a significant impact on shaping Dr Ha's future path.

With dedication, a thirst for learning, and a strong determination to help patients, throughout the collaboration and technology transfer programme, Dr Ha became the "successor" of the surgical technology transfer programme without even realizing it.

Compassion for impoverished patients

After years of continuous learning and skill enhancement, Dr Ha became the chief surgeon in reconstructive surgery for congenital facial deformities in pediatric patients. Till date, she has directly performed surgery on over 500 children and participated in surgical teams for over 1,000 children with cleft lips and palates.

"This is a type of deformity that requires comprehensive treatment. Surgical interventions are determined according to different age groups and involve various techniques such as lip, and palate surgery, language intervention, jaw correction, and orthodontic treatment. In terms of intervention, the doctor accompanies the patient from the first week of life to 18 years old with multiple surgeries. Counselling and stabilising the patient's psychological state, as well as encouraging and guiding family members to accompany their children throughout the long journey are equally important" Dr Ha stated.

Most patients with cleft lips and palates come from difficult circumstances. Many families have to save up money for a long time before bringing their children for examination and treatment when it's already late. Despite the surgical costs being supported by collaborative programmes and health insurance funds, living expenses, transportation, and accommodation must be paid for by the families themselves.

Dr Ha tirelessly calls for and seeks sponsors, sometimes even spending her own money to help these children.

Dr Nguyen Van Dau expressed his confidence and pride in Dr Ha and her colleagues at the Da Nang Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital in their adoption and mastery of the technology transfer for reconstructive surgery for congenital facial deformities in pediatric patients.

"As a teacher, nothing makes me happier than seeing my students grasp what I've taught. It's not just about knowledge or medical techniques but also spiritual understanding, aiming to serve the patients. Every movement and gesture in communication or in surgery contains enthusiasm and determination to give physical and mental healing to patients” Dr Dau shared.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG - Translating by T.VY