Vietnam pediatric surgeries treat rare eye tumor and thumb reconstruction

A 5‑month‑old infant in Vietnam was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer. After multiple rounds of systemic chemotherapy and laser treatment, doctors at Bạch Mai Hospital performed intra‑arterial chemotherapy directly into the left eye’s artery, aiming to control the tumor and preserve vision. The right eye was too severely damaged and was removed, with a prosthetic eye fitted to protect the child's health.

Separately, a 5‑year‑old girl with congenital absence of functional thumbs underwent pollicization surgery at the Vietnam‑German Friendship Hospital. Surgeons transferred the index finger to the thumb position on both hands, restoring grip and fine‑motor abilities. Post‑operative rehabilitation enabled the child to hold objects, use chopsticks, and write, improving daily independence.

Both cases highlight advanced pediatric surgical techniques in Vietnam, involving multidisciplinary teams of ophthalmologists, oncologists, anesthesiologists, and hand surgeons to address complex congenital and oncologic conditions.