Eugene, who was born with Moebius syndrome, pictured with plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Dimitri Liakos following the facial reanimation surgery performed at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
A 12-year-old boy born with Moebius syndrome has undergone a highly specialised facial reanimation procedure at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC), giving him the possibility of smiling and regaining facial movement for the first time.
Eugene had spent his life unable to smile, blink properly or express emotion through facial movement because of the rare neurological condition, which affects facial movement and expression.
The procedure involved transferring functioning muscle together with its blood and nerve supply into the face, with surgeons reconnecting the delicate structures under a microscope so movement could gradually return over time.
The surgery was facilitated through the support of the Smile Foundation, which works to improve access to reconstructive surgery for children requiring specialised care.
