African Boy To Undergo Facial Surgery Following Chimp Attack

Just two years ago, Dunia Sibomana was playing with two other boys when some chimpanzees killed both of his friends and severely disfigured his face.

Now 8, Dunia, who's originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is set to undergo a rare and complicated surgery at Long Island hospital to repair the damage. He lost his lips in the attack, making it extremely difficult for him to communicate. One of his cheeks was also torn apart, leaving him with muscle damage that makes it difficult to eat and swallow properly.

"Difficulty eating, drools a lot, certain speech sounds, psychosocial sides are most damaging, made fun of. Other children in his position, they withdraw, they isolate themselves," Dr. Leon Klempner, Stony Brook Children's Hospital explained, via CBS News.

Dunia came to the country through Klempner's non-profit organization Smile Rescue Fund For Kids. He is currently staying with a host family in Hauppauge as he prepares for surgery.

Health officials hope to use tissue from his forearm for his lips. However, the really difficult part will be giving his new lips life--including the ability to move and feel, according to Dr. Alexander Dagum, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Stony Brook.

He and staff hope to carry out three to four operations within the next six to eight months, according to the news organization.

Related Articles

Facial Reconstruction Operation Leaves No Scar

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site,Headlines and Global News (HNGN).