10-Month-Old Uzbek Girl with Congenital Heart Disease Finds New Life in Korea

Returned Home Healthy After Surgery at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital

Oi-sha, a 10-month-old infant who underwent pediatric heart surgery at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Professor Lee Cheol, the thoracic surgeon in charge, and Oi-sha's mother took a commemorative photo before discharge.
[Photo by Seoul St. Mary's Hospital]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A 10-month-old girl from Uzbekistan suffering from congenital heart disease successfully underwent pediatric heart surgery at the Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and returned home healthy.

According to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital on the 8th, Barotova Oyshaona, 10 months old, was diagnosed with pulmonary artery atresia and ventricular septal defect. Oysha underwent surgery at 3 months old in Uzbekistan, where a small artificial blood vessel was used to connect the systemic artery and pulmonary artery with government support. However, this was only a temporary measure to send blood to the lungs, and fundamental heart surgery was urgently needed.

Meanwhile, Oysha was selected as a beneficiary of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Sharing Culture Expansion Project. The Sharing Culture Expansion Project is a social contribution initiative aimed at sharing Korea's excellent medical technology with neighboring countries in need, organized by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. Through this, Oysha, who was admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital with her mother on the 15th of last month, met her attending physicians, Professor Lee Jae-young of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Professor Lee Cheol of Thoracic Surgery.

Under the leadership of Professor Lee Cheol, an authority in pediatric heart surgery, Oysha underwent a major operation lasting seven hours. In this surgery, Professor Lee removed the existing artificial blood vessel and connected the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery with a new artificial blood vessel. The large hole inside the heart was closed to prevent blood from mixing, and the severe regurgitation of the tricuspid valve between the right atrium and ventricle was treated through valvuloplasty. Oysha, who usually had bluish lips and nails, saw her cyanosis disappear after the surgery, with increased food intake and louder crying.

After receiving intensive care in the cardiac intensive care unit for about a week post-surgery, Oysha was monitored in a general ward and discharged in good health on the 7th of this month. Professor Lee said, "I am relieved that the surgery went well despite coming from afar and undergoing a major operation, and I hope she recovers well. Pediatric heart surgery cannot be done by a surgeon alone; it requires well-prepared facilities and well-trained medical staff. Seoul St. Mary's Hospital is well-equipped, which allowed the surgery to be completed safely."

Oysha will receive regular check-ups at a local hospital in the future. The airfare and living expenses for Oysha's family were supported by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, and the full cost of treatment was covered by Seoul St. Mary's Hospital.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.