Kenyan Doctors Shatter History with Ground-Breaking Nasal Reconstruction Surgery

 For eight long years, 51-year-old Dormitila Yula hid her face from the world. What began as a small pimple on her nostril in 2017 turned into a life-altering medical battle that tested her strength and resilience. But today, she stands as a symbol of hope and medical innovation, thanks to a historic surgical breakthrough at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

Decades of life with nasal congestion didn't cause Yula to pay much heed to the small spot that developed on her nose. It burst, but the wound would not heal — the first sign of a more serious problem. KNH investigations revealed a tumor in the nasal canal and led to reconstructive surgery using skin from the forehead and rib bone. Although the procedure caused temporary relief, eventually an infection developed to her right nostril and eye.

In 2020, her condition worsened, and she was diagnosed by physicians with **Squamous Cell Carcinoma**, a type of skin cancer. The treatment process that followed was daunting — two complex surgeries conducted by Dr. Adeline Vilembwa, Dr. Benjamin Wabwire, and Dr. Loice Kahoro, accompanied by **33 radiotherapy sessions** and **40 days of hyperbaric oxygen therapy**. The treatments were taxing but ultimately, Yula conquered the illness and was certified cancer-free.

Even after being cured, the operations left her physically and psychologically traumatized. She wore bandages on her face for many years, being far too ashamed to show her face in public.

All this changed in 2024 when a new multidisciplinary team at KNH stepped in with a bold plan to give not just Yula's appearance, but her confidence as well. They designed a custom-made silicone prosthesis** to reconstruct the shape of her nose, supported by zygomatic implants which are implanted in her cheekbone — a move never tried in Kenya before.

After two months of careful virtual planning, the six-hour operation on September 10, 2025**, was conducted by a team led by Dr. Adeline Vilembwa and Dr. Andrew Okiriamu, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, with Dr. Margaret Mwasha, a prosthodontic consultant.

The operation was a first in history: Dormitila Yula became the first person in Kenya to receive a zygomatic implant-retained nasolabial prosthesis.

Speaking from her hospital bed following surgery, emotional Yula thanked us:
"KNH has given me a second chance at life. I hid my face in shame for eight years. But today, I have a new nose. I walk comfortably, do my business as usual, and sing with my church choir with confidence. I am eternally grateful."

KNH officials were thrilled with the success as a milestone in reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery in Kenya, hailing the worth of collaboration between specialists towards enhancing patient care.

Norma Dormitila Yula's story is more than a medical miracle — it is a tale of courage, innovation, and the strong hope of transformation.