Elephant Leg

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history, the doctors decided to perform the surgery in two phases. The first phase is to remove the giant tumor, and the second phase is to reconstruct the entire right leg, as well as removing the area of lymphatic blockage. Surgery lasts 10 hours The first phase of surgery was performed on Dec. 31. The entire surgery took 10 hours. Because the tumor was filled with lymph, with the first incision, lymphatic fluid and blood flowed out profusely. They transfused him with 5,000 cc of blood product. The tumor removed consisted mostly of fat and lymphatic tissue, weighing 12 kilograms, with a thickness of 7 cm, width of 40cm, and girth of 65 cm. Initially they estimated that the surgery could be completed in four hours, but because Kannanyason’s calf was thick and stiff, the doctors were not able to control the blood flow using pressure bandages. The duration of the surgery extended to 10 hours. For the right calf skin graft, two-thirds of the skin was taken from the tumor, and the rest from the left leg. The tumor even spread to his toes. Dr. Chang indicated, “The specialists , initial recommendation was to amputate the toes, but we were able to keep all the toes after great care and treatment following the surgery.” After the surgery, the head surgeon Dr. Lee Chun-ta and anesthesiologist Dr. Shyr Ming-hwang walked out of the surgery room and informed Kannanyason’s mother, who was waiting anxiously, that the surgery was successful. Upon hearing this good news, Kannanayson’s mother embraced Dr. Lee with great excitement. She even got down on one knee and kissed the hands of Dr. Lee and Dr. Shyr. It was her way of expressing her utmost gratitude and respect for them. Because the surface area of right calf was too big, two-thirds of the skin was taken from the healthier part of the tumor. However, because the tumor was colonized by bacteria, despite antiseptic measures and antibiotic therapy, the graft still became infected. Following the surgery, Kannanyson was febrile for several days. After the fever defervesced, Kannanyason finally got out of the bed and took his first steps. With a big smile on his face, he said, “My foot is so light! It feels like a cotton rod that is ready to fly!” After Kannanayson’s condition stabilized, he was no longer getting fevers from the infection. The second phase of surgery was performed on Jan. 20, 2005. The doctors removed the leg lymph nodes and treated the infection in his right calf. The total duration of There are three treatment options for lymphatic blockage: In mild or moderate cases, lymphatic blockage can be removed by microvascular surgery techniques.The lymphatic edema can be completely resected, and then skin graft may be performed.In cases where knee or ankle joints have lost their functions and have become stiffened, amputation may need to be performed. Medicine With Humanity Vol. 3 January 2006 45
the second surgery was five hours. Blood transfusion was not necessary this time. The removed lymph nodes weighed one kilogram. The followed-up surgery w a s o n F e b . 1 7 . T h e y removed the excessive tissue growth from the right leg, and replaced it with skin taken from the right and left legs, a total length of 1,210 cm. The subsequent skin condition was good. Able to wear pants again After three surgeries a n d t h r e e m o n t h s o f rehabilitation, a farewell party was organized for Kannanyason’s discharge. He finally was able to wear pants, which he had been longing to do for 15 years. K a n n a n y a s o n t o l d everyone with a less than fluent Chinese, “Thanks to Master Cheng Yen, thanks to the doctors, thanks to the Finally he can wear pants, which he had been longing for 15 years. nurses, thanks to the volunteers for giving me a him a new life. His mother also stood up to brand new leg.” The size of his right calf was give a speech, but she was already in tears and reduced from 105 cm when he first entered the could hardly speak. hospital to 45 cm at the end of his hospital stay. “Kannanyason’s trip to Taiwan signifies Kannanyason said he was very grateful to a surgery that accomplished two impossible Hualien hospital’s doctors for removing the tasks,” said Dr. Chang Yao-jen, who proudly suffering that had lasted 15 years and for giving shared the experience. “One was to prove 46 Medicine With Humanity Vol. 3 January 2006
Page 1 and 2: The Challenge of ‘Elephant Leg’
Page 3 and 4: Dr. Lee Chun-ta measures Kannanyaso
Page 5 and 6: wish, they decided to do everything
Page 7: After first surgery, Kannanyason ta

Elephant Leg

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