Marlie Casseus

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Marlie Casseus (born 1992) is a Haitian teenager who attracted media attention when she received four surgeries to remove a 18-pound growth from her face that threatened her ability to eat, breathe, and see.

[edit] Background

Casseus suffers from polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, a disease that can cause large growths of swollen and jelly-like bone throughout the body, sometimes including the face or skull. The growth probably started when she was five to eight years old, but advanced until her facial features were completely disfigured. It blocked her nasal passage and most of her mouth so that she could only breathe and eat through one very narrow passage. Always a social impediment and a stigma, the growth eventually prompted her to become completely reclusive to avoid public ridicule.[1] Before surgery, the bone growth had become a 16-pound tumor-like mass that covered almost her entire face. It was threatening her breathing and would have eventually caused blindness if doctors hadn't operated.[2]

[edit] Surgeries and post-op

All surgeries were performed at the Holtz Children’s Hospital, at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Florida. The first surgery, in mid-December, 2005, was a 17-hour procedure that resulted in the removal of much of the growth from both sides of her face.[3] During subsequent surgeries, doctors inserted and replaced a titanium plate in her jaw, rebuilt the interior of her nose and jaw, and drew her eyes and lips back together.[4] Other bones were replaced with hard polymers.[1]

After her surgeries, doctors indicated that Casseus might require further cosmetic surgeries at a later date, but indicated her growth would not return. Marlie has had two more operations to rebuild facial structure and center her eyes. She is currently scheduled for another surgery to remove her tracheotomy. After recovery, she plans to move back to Haiti with the rest of her family, and when she is 18, she plans on full plastic and reconstructive surgery. [1]

A Haitian non-profit named Good Samaritan helped with transportation costs and the hospital's International Kids Fund collected donations for the surgery. Doctors and surgeons donated their time.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Kay, Jennifer (27 November 2006). Reshaped face gives teen new outlook. The Seattle Times (AP). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  2. ^ Doctors say surgery to remove massive growth from girl success. MSNBC (AP) (15 December 2005). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  3. ^ a b Doctors say surgery to remove massive growth from girl success. USA Today (AP) (15 December 2005). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  4. ^ Haitian Teen Has 4th Surgery on Face. ABC News (AP) (6 October 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.