In a remarkable medical breakthrough, a 13-year-old girl named Kai Xue has become the first person in history to successfully undergo liver surgery for Wild Syndrome, an exceedingly rare condition that has only been documented 21 times globally.
This pioneering surgery was performed at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, England, bringing hope and relief to Kai and her mother, Ning Chen, after an arduous journey across the UK and China in search of a solution.
Kai’s journey began when she and her mother, Ning Chen, noticed the alarming symptoms of her condition.
Ning Chen told Stoke-on-Trent Live, “Kai was born with an abnormal lymphatic system, and her left arm was very swollen. Throughout her childhood we were under the care of a number of different hospitals to try to find out what the matter was, but nobody knew the cause.”
Wild Syndrome is characterized by a miniscule hole in the liver that leads to the leakage of lymphatic fluid into the abdomen. This leakage creates excessive pressure on internal organs, causing significant swelling in the abdomen and other parts of the body. The rarity and complexity of this condition make it a formidable challenge for medical professionals.
Kai Xue’s attending physician, Dr. Mona Mossad, is a nationally recognized expert in lymphatic interventions. At Royal Stoke, Dr. Mossad initially attempted to improve Kai’s lymphatic drainage by dilating her thoracic duct, a procedure never performed on a child. Despite this innovative approach, Kai’s condition did not improve, prompting Dr. Mossad to delve deeper into the root cause of the issue.
Through meticulous investigation, Dr. Mossad identified the source of the leak in Kai’s lymphatic system: a hole measuring a mere one-tenth of a millimeter in the left lobe of her liver.
This discovery was a critical turning point in Kai’s treatment. Dr. Mossad and her surgical team undertook the delicate task of repairing this tiny hole using specialized, minuscule needles filled with surgical adhesive. During the intricate surgery, the team had to drain an astonishing seven gallon of lymphatic fluid from Kai’s small body, underscoring the severity of her condition.
The surgery was a resounding success. After five weeks of recovery, Kai Xue was given a clean bill of health, marking a significant milestone in medical history and providing a new lease on life for the young girl. The successful outcome of this surgery not only brings immense relief to Kai and her family but also opens new avenues for the treatment of Wild Syndrome and similar conditions.
Dr. Yvonne Slater, a consultant pediatric gastroenterologist who was part of Xue’s overall care team said, “We are all over the moon for Kai, who is the first child to undergo this treatment anywhere in the world.”
The successful surgery not only represents a triumph for Kai Xue and her family but also serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through medical innovation and determination. As the first successful case of liver surgery for Wild Syndrome, this milestone paves the way for future research and treatment options, offering hope to other patients around the world who may be grappling with similar rare conditions.
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