Doctors give two-year-old a new future

Brian Donnely

Doctors using pioneering surgery at a Scottish hospital have transformed the life of an Algerian girl who would otherwise have faced her childhood in agony and died a teenager.

The girl was born with only four rather than 12 ribs on her left side and a severely twisted spine and two-year-old Rahma Reriballah's parents were devastated after being told their only daughter would not reach adulthood.

Her condition was so extreme her bones constantly pressed against one of her lungs. Algerian doctors said there was nothing they could do and it was only a matter of time before the organ burst, or her heart failed under the physical strain.
Following the surgery, however, she can now hold her head virtually straight and doctors say she can now look forward to a long and healthy life.

The operation was carried out by David Marks, a leading orthopaedic surgeon at the HCI international hospital at Clydebank, near Glasgow, who came across Rahma by chance.
An article in an Algerian newspaper about her plight was spotted by a translator who works at the privately-owned hospital. She showed it to Mr Marks who immediately arranged for X-rays of Rahma's spine to be sent to him.

Mr Marks, working in conjunction with an American surgeon from San Diego, pioneered a unique surgical technique to straighten severely twisted spines and realised it would be the perfect answer to Rahma's condition.

The Algerian government agreed to fund the costs and Rahma underwent the four-hour operation last week.

The complex procedure involved fixing two metal rods to her spine with hooks and strings to pull her straighter.

Mr Marks said yesterday: "Rahma suffers from a condition called scoliosis and it is one of the worst cases I have ever come across. "If we did not operate, her condition would have deteriorated and it is unlikely she would have survived beyond her late teens. "At two years old, she is one of the youngest patients to undergo the operation but it has gone extremely well. "She will have to return every few months to have the rods in her back extended as she grows, but otherwise she should live a normal life."

Less than seven days after the operation, Rahma is already out of bed, running around and making friends with other children and staff on the ward. Medical staff who saw her when she was admitted say the transformation in her posture is "incredible."
Rahma's father, Adda said: "It is like a miracle. For two years our family has lived under a black cloud but Rahma's surgery has brought us blue skies again.

"The change in her is astonishing. I can hardly believe that just days after the operation she is standing up and walking straight for the first time. It is wonderful.

"The name Rahma means 'mercy from God' and that is exactly what we have been given through this operation."

Her entire body leaned to the left side, with her head permanently resting on her shoulder. Determined not to give up, her parents launched a campaign with the help of an Algerian newspaper to try to find someone who could help.

Mr Reriballah, a baker from the small town of Oued Rhou, west of the capital Algiers, said: "The doctors told us there were no operations in Algeria that could help her.

"We could not just accept that and began a campaign to find someone that could help our daughter."

He added: "Despite her condition, she has always been a very happy and loving little girl and everyone who meets her takes her to their hearts."

Rahma will have to return to HCI twice a year unit she reaches her teens to have the special rib expanders and metal rods in her spine adjusted as she grows. Titanium rib expanders will also be inserted into her chest to protect her lung.

Mr Reriballah said: "Despite the fact it was such a serious operation, she took it all in her stride and is charming everyone she meets with her sweet nature."