American surgeons build Zimbabwe man a new face

Specialist surgeons in Minnesota have rebuilt the face of Tonderai Mandigumura, a 22 year old Zimbabwean who suffers from neurofibromatosis.

Tonderai flew to America in April, desperate for help to ease the suffering caused by his genetic condition. Neurofibromatosis causes tumours to grow on nerve tissue, in Tonderai’s case the tumours have enveloped the right side of his face and completely destroyed his right eye.

On 2nd June 2009 Neurosurgeon Eric Nussbaum and his team at St Paul’s Hospital, Minnesota volunteered their time to remove Tonderai’s tumours and reconstruct his face. The team of surgeons first cut away the huge tumour which had destroyed Tonderai’s face and peeled back the flesh to reposition the underlying facial features. The damaged right eye was completely removed and replaced with a Bio-eye which is constructed from coral and a donated sclera, which is the white of an eye. The Bio-eye is surgically connected to the facial muscles so it moves naturally in tandem with the healthy left eye. The eye socket is rebuilt using titanium plate and transplanted bone.

The operation lasted for six hours, and although it won’t cure Tonderai’s genetic condition it will improve his quality of life remarkably.

Tonderai explained that although he is well educated his job prospects were diminished by his appearance. He now hopes to secure a position in accounting.

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