World Pediatric Project

World Pediatric Project: Guatemala Craniofacial Surgery Novo Surgical was proud to support Dr. Kamlesh Patel and his joint team from St. Louis, Kansas City and Tampa in conjunction with Hospittalia Amatitlan on his surgical mission trip to Guatemala focused on helping children with nasal encephaloceles and Apert syndrome. On this first trip, the team conducted eight successful surgeries and identified nine children for the next craniofacial mission this Spring. The team traveled to Amatitlan, which is an hour outside of Guatemala City, and is planning twice annual missions in 2019, in conjunction with the local craniofacial surgeon Dr. Mario Flores. The team also worked closely with Guatemalan neurosurgeon Dr. Erny Leal, who even sent one of his residents to the St. Louis Children's Hospital a month prior to the mission to observe. One patient to benefit from the trip this year was Maria, a 16-year old born with nasal encephalocele which is a defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. Her family had been trying to get her help for a decade. To hear more about Maria's story and the help she received, please read the full brief here. The team was ecstatic about the collaboration between US-based and Guatemalan surgeons and the ability to benefit eight children. Novo Surgical looks forward to supporting these important surgical missions in the future! Please see some additional photos below from the trip.