Surgeons Rebuild Boy’s Face After Devastating Battery Explosion

 Surgeons at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) have successfully carried out a complex, seven-hour reconstructive surgery on a 12-year-old boy whose face was catastrophically damaged after a mobile phone battery exploded in his mouth.

The life-saving operation marked a major milestone for the Kisumu-based hospital, which was recently elevated to a Level 6A national referral hospital and designated a state parastatal under the Ministry of Health.

The boy was rushed to JOOTRH from Vihiga County following the domestic accident. The explosion caused extensive destruction to his lower facial soft tissues and jaw bones, leaving him in critical condition and struggling to breathe.

A multidisciplinary medical team led by maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Anthony Ganda, and supported by specialists from Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Radiology, and Critical Care departments, acted swiftly to stabilise the child.

“One of the most immediate and dangerous challenges was securing his airway,” Dr. Ganda said. “The distortion was so severe that normal breathing was nearly impossible.”

Using advanced video laryngoscopy, doctors were able to safely secure the airway while ENT surgeons stood by for emergency surgical intervention if required. High-resolution CT scans were then performed to accurately assess the extent of the damage and guide the reconstruction with millimetre-level precision.

The gruelling operation focused on three critical objectives: salvaging viable tissue, stabilising shattered facial bones, and reconstructing the facial framework to restore both appearance and essential functions such as breathing, speaking, and swallowing.

“The objective was not just to save his life, but to preserve his future,” Dr. Ganda said. “We wanted to ensure that he can eat, speak, and grow with as normal facial development as possible.”

According to Dr. Ganda, injuries of this magnitude resulting from battery explosions in children are extremely rare, with fewer than 100 similar cases documented worldwide in medical literature.

The successful surgery adds to Kenya’s growing reputation for handling highly complex medical procedures and highlights JOOTRH’s expanding capacity as a national referral centre for specialised care.

Hospital officials say the boy will continue to receive close monitoring and follow-up reconstructive care as he begins the long road to recovery.