Thai hospital gives disfigured woman new future

[MarrickG]

THAILAND - Yanhee International Hospital yesterday presented to the public a young woman, severely disfigured by acid, who had successfully undergone a series of corrective and skin-graft operations over three years.

Nathida Chaiyasit said she was now able to live her life confidently again, and thanked the hospital for its treatment and for the free service it had provided.

After three years of extensive operations, Nathida is no longer afraid of being called "ghost face" as she had been subjected to before.

The woman was presented along with her husband and young son at a press conference at the private hospital, which took care of her at no cost after her facial features were extensively destroyed in an acid accident.

Hospital director Dr Suphoj Samritwanitcha said another nine similar cases were undergoing free treatment, but Nathida's was the most difficult, because the acid had destroyed a large area of her face, including her nose and much of her mouth, which severely affected her digestive, respiratory and olfactory systems.

The treatment would have cost Nathida about Bt1.5 million (S$65,100), he said, adding that the hospital would despite the cost continue to provide free treatment for selected victims.

"The treatment of Nathida is regarded as having been highly successful, but follow-up treatment will continue," he added.

Cosmetic surgeon Thawatchai Bunphatthanaphong said the treatment began with damaged structure and tissue on the left side of her face. Large keloids were removed and replaced with skin from her stomach.

The next step moved to the right side of her face, starting with a tissue-expansion technique to grow and expand good skin to replace areas destroyed by the acid. This was the most difficult part, he said.

There were also operations to fix the corner of her mouth to provide her with normal movement and speaking ability, Thawatchai said.