Peruvian Boy with Birth Defect Travels for Surgery at Trinitas
A2 1/2 year old boy from Peru - Roberto Jesus Regalado Junchaya - born with a severe birth defect underwent an amputation of both legs at Trinitas Hospital recently. The boy, who stayed with his mother and a host family, was born with no major bones in the lower part of his legs. Although his thigh bones were fully developed, he was unable to move.
"We amputated both legs at the knee joint, which allowed him to receive a prosthesis and walk," said Richard Mackessy, MD, the surgeon who performed the procedure. "This surgery allowed the child to become independent and functional, and already the results are very impressive."

Dr. Mackessy became involved after he was contacted by the local chapter of Healing the Children. This non-profit, volunteer organization is dedicated to healing children around the world. The organization's chapters across the country bring children to cities in their area, find medical professionals who will donate their services, and assign each child to a volunteer host family who will provide room, board - and love - for the duration of the child's stay in the U.S.

Trinitas Hospital donated all costs associated with the boy's hospital stay, including surgery, anesthesiology and follow-up care. Dr. Mackessy and Leon Pirak, M.D., Chief of Anesthesiology also donated their services. The child has made a full recovery, and is already walking with his prosthesis.

For more information on Maternal and Child Health Services at Trinitas, please call 908-994-5294.


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