Juan Angel | 9 years old | 2013
Juan Ángel, 9 years old, had a giant lipoma that had been growing on his right thigh for four years. Juan underwent surgery at one of the public hospitals in San Pedro Sula, but the procedure was incomplete, causing the tumor to grow back.
Having such a large lipoma caused problems with walking, pain, and psychological effects on the child’s self-esteem. If the lipoma had not been removed, it would have continued to grow until it reached the point of preventing Juan from walking. It could also have compressed the neurovascular bundle of the leg, causing muscle damage and affecting the normal development of the affected leg.
Juan’s recovery will take approximately 6–8 weeks, accompanied by physical therapy. Juan was referred from Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital. He lives in the Cabañas neighborhood of this city.
Follow-up Appointment
Dr. Juan Craniotis evaluated Juan Ángel’s recovery on March 18, 2013. According to the pediatric surgeon, everything is progressing well.
To learn more about Juan Ángel and his mother’s personal experience, below we share what they kindly told us.
Juan was referred from Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital, where the doctor informed them that they could not treat him at that facility. “I felt relieved when they scheduled the surgery,” the boy’s mother recalls.
When describing the difficulties he experienced before surgery, Juan Ángel said in his sweet voice: “My leg was very heavy. I could hardly walk, I couldn’t run or play soccer.” After the surgery, he adds, he can now run faster.
“I feel good. Now I score many goals; before, they scored against me.” — Juan Ángel
As we listen to Juan Ángel, we can see the emotion and gratitude in his mother. She said she was moved and very satisfied with the care they received at the hospital. She also confessed that she was afraid the lipoma would grow back, but little by little, that fear has diminished.
Surgeons: Dr. Juan Craniotis, pediatric surgeon, and Dr. Guillermo Siercke, plastic surgeon..
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