Girl whose face was engulfed by tumour undergoes life-changing surgery

Brave Linh Da Vo, 12, has been given a second chance life thanks to a team of Aussie doctors who removed a huge tumour that nearly consumed her entire face.

Linh Da, a Vietnamese national, has suffered severe pain from the large tumour overtaking the left hand side of her face ever since she was born. At first her parents dismissed the tiny mark on her cheek as a birthmark, but by the time she was four months old it had started to grow.

The family’s rural location in Southern Vietnam meant Linh Da’s condition went unchecked and the mark developed into a large tumour with veins. Over the years it continued to grow, spreading to her jaw, gums, nose and eyes.

Before her surgery, life was extremely difficult for young Linh Da. While her tumour was not cancerous, it did cause her significant pain.

Linh Da and her mother Hanh (back) were met by guardian angels Kim Thein Truong (left) and Gerry Phillips (right) of ROMAC when she arrived in Australia.

“I feel sad when she’s sometimes teased by other kids at school because of her condition,” her mother Hanh Vo, told SBS News.

Fundraiser Kim Thien Truong, herself a former Vietnamese refugee and the director of Kim’s Foundation of Hope, reached out to Linh Da and her family two years ago, when she learnt of the terrible medical conditions in rural Vietnam. Since then, she has raised more than $40,000 to sponsor Linh Da and her mother Hanh to come out to Australia for the surgery.

Thanks to the help of the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), Brimbank Central Rotary Club and Monash Children’s Hospital, Linh Da’s future looks much brighter.

Today, Woman’s Day can confirm Linh Da is recovering well following a series of lengthy surgeries to remove the enormous tumour. She is currently in a stable condition in Monash Children’s Hospital’s intensive care unit.

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Dr James Leong who led the operation – along with a huge team of volunteers including at least five surgeons, six anaesthetists, and about 20 theatre staff –worked tirelessly for eight hours, separating the extensive tumour from her delicate facial veins.

While removing the upper tumour covering her forehead, eye, nose and cheek, the team were forced to stop because of the significant blood loss Linh Da had sustained.

Linh Da has been released into the intensive care ward, where she will be closely monitored until she is stable enough to continue the second stage of the process.

Kim tells Woman’s Day Linh Da will remain in hospital for the next two weeks to allow her time to recuperate and get stronger before surgeons begin reconstructive surgery and look at potential skin grafts.

“We worry so much [after this intense first stage],” Kim says.