Born with an abnormally enlarged tongue, a 9-year-old boy from Gia Lai had been unable to eat, drink, or speak normally for many years. Thanks to a tongue reduction surgery performed by Professor McKay McKinnon in collaboration with doctors at FV Hospital, the boy can now speak clearly and smile brightly, opening the door to a hopeful future.
Six Years Unable to Close His Mouth Because of a Rare Condition
N.D.T. (9-year-old, Gia Lai) has a handsome face and bright eyes but suffers from a rare and difficult-to-treat condition: congenital macroglossia caused by vascular malformations. His abnormally developed tongue filled the entire oral cavity, preventing him from speaking, eating, or even closing his mouth like other children. As a result, smiles were rarely seen on his face.
At just two months old, T. was diagnosed with two cystic lesions beneath the floor of his mouth. From then on, he began a long journey of frequent hospital visits, undergoing various treatments such as sclerotherapy injections and cyst removal surgeries. Unfortunately, his condition did not improve; instead, his tongue continued to enlarge over time.
According to T.’s father, the tongue was constantly swollen and fibrotic, making it extremely difficult for the boy to chew and communicate. His diet was limited to thin porridge and milk. The fibrotic tissue was also prone to bleeding, and each episode required immediate medical attention.
“T. is very resilient. He always listens to his parents and cooperates well with doctors. Seeing my child born different from others breaks my heart. But I never thought of giving up, I was always determined to cure him”, T.’s father shared emotionally.
When T. was six years old, a chance encounter changed everything. After learning that another child in the neighborhood with a similar condition had been successfully treated, his family sought help and was connected with The Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund, a charitable fund established by FV Hospital to support children in difficult circumstances. Through the fund, they learned about Professor McKay McKinnon, a world-renowned plastic surgeon who has collaborated with FV Hospital for many years to successfully treat complex cases such as giant tumors and vascular malformations.
A Miraculous Surgery: Shrinking the Tongue, Rediscovering the Smile
In late 2023, during a working visit to FV Hospital, Professor McKinnon personally examined and performed tongue reduction surgery for T. The goal of the procedure was to restore full tongue function while ensuring both safety and aesthetics.
“The greatest challenge of this surgery was calculating the appropriate amount of tissue to remove, enough to reduce the size without compromising tongue function”, Dr. Tran Xuan Tiem from the General Surgery Department at FV Hospital, who assisted Professor McKinnon during the operation said.
The surgery was a remarkable success. The enlarged tongue was significantly reduced, allowing T. to close his mouth properly. For the first time in six years, he could speak clearly, eat comfortably, and smile with confidence, things that once seemed impossible.
During Professor McKinnon’s follow-up visit to FV Hospital in October, T. returned for a check-up. The professor confirmed that his recovery was excellent and that no further treatment was required.
“I sincerely thank Professor McKinnon and the FV Hospital medical team for helping my son recover. I am especially grateful to The Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund for covering all medical expenses, giving my child the chance to smile and eat normally like other children. Words cannot fully express how happy and thankful I am”, T.’s father said.
Bringing New Lives to Many Patients Through the “Western Fairy Doctor”
N.D.T. is one of hundreds of pediatric patients whose lives have been transformed by the skilled hands of Professor McKay McKinnon, often affectionately referred to as a “Western Fairy Doctor”. The surgeries performed by him and the FV Hospital team not only create medical miracles but also restore function, improve appearance, and help patients regain confidence and reintegrate into society.
During his working visit to FV Hospital from October 13 to 18, 2025, Professor McKinnon collaborated with the FV medical team to operate on six pediatric patients sponsored by The Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund and examined dozens of others with rare and complex conditions.
For more than 40 years, Professor McKinnon has traveled around the world, working with hospitals and humanitarian organizations to provide free treatment for thousands of severe cases. He expressed deep gratitude for the trust patients place in him and shared his hope of helping them achieve not only physical health but also a renewed sense of confidence and a new beginning in life.
Readers wishing to make an appointment with Professor McKay McKinnon during his upcoming visits to FV Hospital can visit 06 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan My Ward (formerly District 7), Ho Chi Minh City, or contact the hotline at (028) 3511 3333.
