Feb 07, 2011

Heart surgery improves quality of life for teenage girl, but leaves a small scar

A teenage girl from Abu Dhabi with a congenital heart defect recently underwent surgery to correct the problem, The National reports.

Zahra al Balooshi was born with a hole in her heart, which her doctors hoped would eventually heal by itself. However, the condition made her lethargic and easily tired, and she was unable to keep up with her seven siblings.

"She told us that she could barely do anything without getting tired and needing to sit down," her mother said, quoted by the news source. "It was no way to live for a young girl."

They sought the advice of Laszlo Kiraly, a pediatric cardiologist who was able to perform a minimally invasive procedure, rather than subjecting al Balooshi to open-heart surgery. Although the operation left a small, permanent scar on her chest, the girl said that she can now catch her breath and lead a normal life.

According to the American Heart Association, thousands of babies are born each year with congenital heart defects. As many as 1.3 million people with the condition are alive in the U.S. today.

Those who have sustained minor surgical scars may turn to silicone gel sheeting as a way to reduce the appearance of these marks.

 

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