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Born in Savannah, GA, litte Keyante arrived three months prematurely. He weighed less than three pounds and acquired a staff infection at only 12 days old. When his breathing became more difficult and his oxygen saturation dropped, his Savannah physician performed a lifesaving emergency tracheotomy and Kayante was transferred to Wolfson’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Dr. Gary Josephson, Division Chief of Nemours Clinic’s Pediatric Otolaryngoloy, evaluated Keyante’s condition and recommended that Keyante have his trachea rebuilt. It was severely narrowed and his tracheotomy was located beneath his larynx (voice box). If not corrected, Keyante would have a tracheotomy for life and would be unable to speak since his intake of air was below his voice box. Dr. Josephson recommended a surgical procedure known as Laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR). This is a complex procedure that uses the child’s rib cartilage as a source of expanders to widen the trachea. Nemours is one of the few centers in Florida that performs this delicate airway reconstruction.
“This was a ‘very scary’ procedure,” his mother, Britteny recalled. “Not only did Keyante weigh less than three pounds, the only way he could breathe was through his trach. I was frightened. However, Wolfson’s ‘loving and caring staff’ made sure I understood the procedures and knew what to expect. Dr. Gary Josephson was both promising and reassuring.”
While Keyante was hospitalized, Britteny stayed at the Ronald McDonald House located very close to Wolfson. This became her home away from home. Like many families who travel far from home to get treatment for their seriously ill or injured children, Brittney described Ronald McDonald House as a real life-saver. A child’s hospitalization may last a day, a month, or even longer. When your child is sick, you want the best care possible - even if it is hundreds or thousands of miles away. And most of all you want to be at your child’s bedside. The Ronald McDonald House allows families to access specialized medical treatment by providing a place to stay at little or sometimes no cost. “I was a long way from home. They made it easy for me to be close to my baby and get rest when needed. The Ronald McDonald staff along with the Wolfson doctors and nurses became my second family,” explained Britteny.
At Keyante’s December check-up, Britteny reports her now two-year old son is making great strides, and she is constantly entertained by his chatter. “He talks a lot more now. His conversation is hilarious.” Dr. Josephson hardily agreed and summed up Keyante’s progress, “This is one operation that speaks for itself!”
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