Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories

From turning a book’s pages to carrying a baseball bat, Wade’s ability to negotiate the world has expanded thanks to his new thumbs.

A condition that affects vein development caused Maille to undergo surgery on her leg, but nothing gets in the way of her passion for dance and trapeze.

CHOP dietitians work with Savannah’s parents to find a ‘real food’ solution to meet her medical needs and her family's wishes.

When Bear's head became misshapen as an infant due to craniosynostosis, his family learned he needed surgery on his skull.

When Brynnli's mom noticed her daughter's head was growing strangely, she sought help from craniofacial experts at CHOP.

With two successful surgeries to repair her cleft lip and cleft palate, and a third a few years down the road, 2-year-old Sophia is thriving.

Eva, 2, had two surgeries at CHOP to remove lipomas from her back and treat a tethered spinal cord. Today, she’s a proud big sister!

Born with tetralogy of Fallot and Goldenhar syndrome, Emily has endured dozens of surgeries in the past 14 years, and her mission is to teach kindness and acceptance.

A terrible car accident left Sam with a serious brain injury. Therapy and surgery helped him rebound; he’s now able to recite a poem and play his favorite sport.

Dean was born without bone or muscle in his left thumb. Surgeons at CHOP created a thumb using Dean's index finger. He's been unstoppable ever since!