The Reconstruction Mission intensive medical mission has been completed at the Children’s Medicine Center.
Over three days, a team of Ukrainian and American specialists conducted 10 complex surgeries. Each procedure lasted from 4 to 10 hours. American specialist Mark Gnatjuk, a maxillofacial and plastic surgeon, visited the Center. He specializes in treating cleft lips and palates, reconstructive surgeries, and complex facial developmental anomalies. Together with the team of doctors at the Children’s Medicine Center, he not only consulted patients but also operated on children in need. All consultations and procedures were provided free of charge.
During the mission, assistance was provided to children with cleft lips and palates, nasal deformations, benign head and neck tumors, malocclusions, and deforming facial scars. “During the mission, we performed two particularly complex rhinoplasties in children post cleft lip and palate. For nasal reconstruction, cartilage was taken from both the ear and the rib – these are highly complex, multi-hour operations requiring high team coordination and extensive experience,” said Kristina Pogranichna, a maxillofacial surgeon.
The mission was initiated by the CF “Christian Medical Association of Ukraine” within the framework of the EduCare project together with partners Ed’s Friends, Leap Global Missions, and Razom for Ukraine. In total, over 900 patients – both children and adults – have already been operated on within this project. Such missions are not only highly specialized aid here and now, but also an exchange of experience, the development of Ukrainian medicine, and new opportunities for children in need of complex reconstructive treatment!