9-Year-Old Boy Receives Life-Changing Surgery at Holy Name Medical Center

On Oct 24, 2014

A 9-year-old boy from a Kazakhstan orphanage, born with his hands turned at a 90-degree angle from his arms, is getting life-altering surgery by an orthopedist at Holy Name Medical Center. Boris Oborin underwent the procedure on October 13 to realign his right hand and will have his left hand fixed in a few months.

Dr. Brian Bauer performed the two-hour surgery, which straightened Boris’ hand so he should be able to close his fingers to grip or pick up objects. Prior to the surgery, he had some dexterity but was quite limited in performing many tasks. For example, if he needs to pick up a cup, he has to put his hand in the cup to grasp it. The total function of his hand won’t be determined until his full-arm cast is removed in six weeks.

“It’s major construction to turn a hand around,” Dr. Bauer said. “We had to cut and realign the bones and take tendons from one area and put them in another. His hand looks pretty much like a normal hand but we have to see how well it heals and what its function will be.”

Boris was brought to the United States through Healing the Children, an organization that provides free medical care for local and international children. Dr. Bauer and Holy Name have worked with the group numerous times in the past and have waived all fees for the procedures. Healing the Children also arranged for Boris to stay with a host family, Sue and Martin Eagan and their three children, ages 6, 8, and 10, in Montville.

“He’s just a ridiculously happy child,” Sue Eagan said. “He loves pop music and loves to dance. He’s so excited about everything. And he’s so polite. He takes my 8-year-old daughter’s backpack to the bus stop for her every morning and helps around the house. He’s a tough, resilient kid who is always smiling.”

Boris was released from Holy Name Medical Center on October 17 and is continuing his stay with the Eagan family. The date of surgery on his left hand has not been determined.

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