Totally Transformed By Reconstructive Surgery

Drs. Guillermo Quinde and Federico Di Francesco
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Both Dr. Quinde, our local host, and Dr. Di Francesco worked on Francisco’s lip. The surgery lasted about two hours, and Francisco was totally transformed. What’s really terrific is that his cleft is being repaired before he starts to speak, so he won’t develop the speech impediments that are characteristic of children whose clefts aren’t repaired this early. Also, he won’t face the ridicule from other children that is so often the case. He may never know what it might have been to be shunned, denied an education, and have limited opportunities. This beautiful, outgoing little boy is now free to live a full life.