Surgeons from UC Irvine successfully operate a patient from Paraguay with rare human disease to elephant

IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) – A Paraguayan national, born of a rare generic disorder, thanks a team of surgeons at UC Irvine Medical Center.

Enrique Galvan was born with what is commonly known as "Elephant Man" disease. It causes the growth of large, heavy tumors on its nervous tissue.

"Neurofibromatosis and excessive skin growths," said Dr. Kris Barrios. "My plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Kobayashi, felt that it was too long to be practiced in Paraguay."

Galvan underwent many surgeries in Paraguay, but none succeeded, causing him a lot of physical and emotional suffering.

He explained by a translator: "A lot of harassment, a lot of discrimination and a lot of intimidation."

But his luck changed when he met Barrios, who was on a medical mission to his country. With the blessing of the UCI, Galvan came to be operated on. Barrios and his team managed to eliminate most of the sick areas in eight hours.

"We ended up removing about six pounds of extra fabric, which is his main complaint, just the weight and inability to do things," Barrios said.

Taking a literal weight on his shoulder, Galvan said that he was eternally grateful and that he was eager to play football and run when he would come home.

"I feel like a new person, I have more strength to continue," he said through the intermediary of a translator.

Barrios will return with his group, IMA Helps, in July to visit Galvan. The doctor said it's a job like this that allows him to flourish on a daily basis.

"Do what you need, for people who have nothing in return, if it 's the fact that I'm doing good to someone who needs to". a little help, "Barrios said.