Pioneering Scots surgeon saves life of little Rahma

Shortly after two-year-old Rahma Reriballah was born, her parents were distressed when doctors told them she was unlikely to survive beyond her teenage years.

Her missing ribs and badly curved backbone meant her head rested permanently on her shoulder, crushing one of her lungs.

Doctors in Rahma’s home country told her family that her condition would deteriorate as she got older and would probably result in heart and lung failure. However, thanks to the skill of surgeons in Scotland, Rahma’s life has been transformed.

Following pioneering surgery, she can now hold her head virtually straight and doctors say she can now look forward to a long, and healthy, life.

The operation was masterminded by Mr David Marks, a leading orthopaedic surgeon at the private HCI hospital at Clydebank, near Glasgow. Mr Marks first encountered Rahma by chance.

An article in an Algerian newspaper about her plight was spotted by a translator who works at the hospital. She showed it to Mr Marks who immediately arranged for a series of X-rays of Rahma’s spine to be sent to him.

Mr Marks, working in conjunction with an American surgeon from San Diego, pioneered a unique surgical technique to straighten severely twisted spines and took the decision to operate on Rahma.

The Algerian government agreed to fund the cost and Rahma underwent the four-hour operation last week. The complex procedure involved fixing two rods to her spine with hooks and strings to straighten the curvature.

Mr Marks said yesterday: "Rahma suffers from a condition called scoliosis but hers is one of the worst cases I have ever come across. If we did not operate, her condition would have deteriorated and it is unlikely she would have survived beyond her late teens.

"At two years old, she is one of the youngest patients to undergo the operation but it has gone extremely well.

"She will have to return every few months to have the rods in her back extended as she grows, but otherwise she should live a normal life."

Less than seven days after the operation, Rahma is already out of bed, running around and making friends with other children and staff on the ward.

Medical staff who saw her when she was admitted say the transformation in her posture is "incredible".

Rahma’s father, Adda, obviously overwhelmed by his daughter’s transformation, said: "It is like a miracle. For two years our family has lived under a black cloud but Rahma’s surgery has brought us blue skies again.

"The change in her is astonishing. I can hardly believe that just days after the operation, she is standing up and walking straight for the first time. It is wonderful.

"The name Rahma means ‘mercy from God’ and that is exactly what we have been given through this operation."

Rahma was born with severe congenital scoliosis, which meant her spine was badly twisted and she had only four ribs on her left side, rather than the normal 12.

Determined not to give up, her parents Adda and Fatima Reriballah, launched a campaign with the help of an Algerian newspaper to try to find someone who could help.

Adda, a baker from the small town of Oued Rhou, west of Algiers, said: "We were devastated when doctors told us that Rahma would not be able to live a long and happy life.

"They told us there were no operations in Algeria that could help her."

He added: "Despite her condition she has always been a very happy and loving little girl and everyone who meets her takes her to their hearts.

"For two years, the newspaper ran stories about her and helped contact hospitals across the world to find someone who could help."

Mr Reriballah beamed: "It’s amazing to see her looking and feeling so well after years of worry. Despite the fact it was such a serious operation, she took it all in her stride and is charming everyone she meets with her sweet nature.

"I cannot wait to take her home to Algeria. My wife and two sons who are back at home have been very anxious. But they will be overjoyed when they see the difference in her."