Patient Experience
A 12-year-old competitive gymnast from a middle-class family presented with a rare, painful duplication of the appendix discovered during investigation for chronic right lower quadrant pain. Dr. Boz performed a laparoscopic appendectomy of both structures, explaining the embryological anomaly to the fascinated patient. The gymnast returned to full training in 3 weeks, using the experience for a school science project on human development.
A 3-day-old refugee infant, born in a temporary camp, was urgently transferred with gastroschisis. With no prenatal care and limited family history, Dr. Boz coordinated with social services for the asylum-seeking parents while performing a staged silo reduction. The infant required prolonged NICU care for associated prematurity but was discharged after 8 weeks with complete abdominal wall closure and arranged follow-up through a humanitarian medical network.
A 15-year-old amateur boxer from a working-class neighborhood developed a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia after a training accident, missed initially at a local clinic. Dr. Boz performed thoracoscopic repair 10 days post-injury when respiratory symptoms emerged. Recovery was complicated by pleural effusion requiring drainage, but the patient returned to non-contact sports after 4 months with a newfound respect for protective gear.
A 7-year-old child from a wealthy family, homeschooled and extensively traveled, presented with a massive mesenteric lymphatic malformation causing intermittent volvulus. Dr. Boz performed complete resection preserving bowel length, discovering the family had sought opinions in three countries. The pathology revealed a rare histologic subtype, leading to a published case report co-authored with the family's consent.
A 5-year-old with Cornelia de Lange syndrome, followed by multiple specialists, developed symptomatic cholelithiasis, an unusual complication in pediatric syndromic patients. Dr. Boz performed single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy, coordinating with the genetics and cardiology teams for perioperative management of associated heart defects. The patient's recovery was smooth, providing relief from chronic abdominal pain that had been misattributed to behavioral issues.
A 10-year-old from a remote village presented with a giant omphalocele containing liver and bowel, managed conservatively since birth with serial dressings by a visiting nurse. Dr. Boz performed a modified Schuster procedure with component separation technique over two stages, accommodating the family's monthly travel limitations. The child gained full abdominal domain after 6 months and began school for the first time.
A 14-year-old aspiring ballet dancer developed Slipping Rib Syndrome after a fall, with chronic pain misdiagnosed as musculoskeletal for a year. Dr. Boz performed costal cartilage resection with neural ablation via a minimal infra-mammary incision. The dancer returned to pointe work after 3 months and choreographed a piece about her medical journey.
A 6-month-old infant of consanguineous parents presented with multiple jejunal atresias (apple-peel variant) and malrotation. Dr. Boz performed Ladd's procedure with tapering enteroplasty for the dilated proximal segment. The complex postoperative course included TPN-associated cholestasis and required 4 months of gradual enteral feeding advancement before full oral feeds were achieved.
An 8-year-old child from a family of nomadic shepherds presented with a large retroperitoneal teratoma discovered during investigation for constipation. Dr. Boz performed complete resection via a chevron incision, preserving the kidney and ureter adherent to the mass. The family's migratory lifestyle necessitated a detailed portable follow-up plan with a telemedicine component.
A 13-year-old with cystic fibrosis and recurrent distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS) required surgical intervention after failed conservative management. Dr. Boz performed intraoperative enteroscopy with irrigation and limited resection of inspissated contents, coordinating closely with the pulmonology team for optimized perioperative respiratory care. The procedure provided 18 months of relief from obstructive episodes.
A 4-year-old with VACTERL association and prior tracheoesophageal fistula repair developed severe gastroesophageal reflux disease refractory to medical therapy. Dr. Boz performed laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with gastrostomy tube placement, navigating extensive thoracic adhesions from previous surgery. The child's nutritional status improved dramatically, enabling better growth velocity.
A 9-year-old from an affluent family presented with a rare pediatric solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas discovered incidentally on abdominal ultrasound for unrelated trauma. Dr. Boz performed spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy via robotic assistance. The family requested and funded genetic testing of the tumor, which revealed a novel mutation of academic interest.
A 2-year-old with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and hemihypertrophy developed an adrenal cyst causing mass effect. Dr. Boz performed laparoscopic cystectomy, preserving the adrenal gland. The family's anxiety about cancer risk in the syndrome was alleviated by the benign pathology, and they became advocates for syndrome-specific screening protocols.
A 16-year-old transgender male on testosterone therapy presented with symptomatic choledocholithiasis, an unusual presentation in an adolescent. Dr. Boz performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiogram, coordinating care with the endocrinology and adolescent medicine teams to maintain hormone therapy throughout the perioperative period. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and he appreciated the gender-affirming approach to his care.
An 11-month-old with prune belly syndrome and recurrent UTIs from urinary stasis required bilateral ureteral reimplantation and orchidopexy. Dr. Boz performed the complex reconstruction in a single stage with intraoperative ultrasound guidance. The patient's renal function stabilized postoperatively, and the family received training in clean intermittent catheterization for long-term management.