Hope restored: KNH performs breakthrough pediatric nerve surgery

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has recorded yet another medical milestone through its Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit.

A team of doctors successfully performed the hospital’s first-ever pediatric surgery for Birth Brachial Plexus Palsy (BBPP).

BBPP is a nerve injury that occurs during childbirth, leading to weakness or loss of movement in a baby’s arm.

According to KNH, the country’s largest referral and teaching hospital, the groundbreaking procedure involves repairing damaged nerves and muscles, offering renewed hope to affected children and their families.

The team of elated doctors confirmed that the child is now on the path to recovery.

“We are happy and excited because this is the first landmark surgery that we are doing as the plastic and reconstructive surgery unit”,  Ferdinand Nang’ole, a consultant surgeon at KNH/UoN, said.

He urged mothers to seek medical attention if they notice a lack of movement in their child’s upper limb

“ If a mother realises that the child is not able to move his or her hand well, because even small children will be able to move their hands. Then the first thing is they should do is take the child for examination by the medical team,” he advised.

He added, “And if for whatever reason we suspect that there’s a brachial plexus injury, then you refer them to Kenyatta National Hospital, where we can be able to evaluate them and in the plastic surgery Department and be able to Institute early management and in fact, our biggest problem is late presentation. The earlier the better”.