KNH Conducts Successful 9-Hour Facial Reconstruction on Banditry Survivor

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) conducted a successful surgery on a boy whose face was disfigured during a banditry attack in 2023 at Isiolo- Meru border.
According to KNH, the surgery, which was performed on September 25, was led by a team of specialised surgeons and it took nine hours to reconstruct and restore the boy’s face.
“Kenyatta National Hospital has successfully conducted a nine-hour, first-of-its-kind reconstruction surgery to restore the face of a young boy disfigured during a bandit attack in 2023,” a statement the national facility read in part.
According to the hospital, the boy had been living with a bullet stuck on his face since December 23, 2023.
Since the incident, the boy had undergone extensive treatment and rehabilitation for injury to his lower jaw and eye.
The procedure was performed by a multidisciplinary team from KNH and specialists from University of Nairobi.
According to KNH, the complex facial procedure was the first procedure of its kind in the world, placing Kenya at the forefront of advanced medical innovation.
“This milestone demonstrates not only our surgeons’ skill and demonstration but also Kenya’s rising leadership in specialized healthcare. It is a message of hope to patients across Africa and beyond,” it said.
KNH acting Chief Executive Officer, Richard Lesiyampe, said that the 7-year-old boy is currently admitted to the intensive care unit and under close watch and medical care.
Lesiyampe, however, commended the team for their incredible and remarkable efforts in making sure that the surgery was successful.
The hospital, however, promised the public to share updates on boy’s recovery even as they requested the patient’s privacy.
“KNH will continue to share updates on Ian’s recovery in due course, while respecting the privacy and well-being of his family,” the statement added.
Earlier in May, KNH also made history after performing a first-of-its-kind surgery to restore feeling at the stump of a patient’s missing left hand following an amputation.
The hospital announced that it had achieved the honour of performing the world’s first Transhumeral Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR) surgery which involved rerouting nerves from the amputated limb.