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Baghad Blast

Girl Injured in Baghdad Blast Undergoes Successful Reconstructive Surgery at UCLA Medical Center

Humanitarian groups helped bring young war victim to UCLA for treatment


Before	After
Photos provided by UCLA Senior Photographer Michelle Van Vliet

After a series of reconstructive surgeries at UCLA Medical Center, Marwa Naim, a 12 year old Iraqi girl who suffered the loss of her nose when an explosive struck her family’s home in northern Baghdad, has a chance for a new life.

“When we heard about Marwa’s condition, we immediately wanted to help in any way we could,” said Dr. Timothy Miller, chief of plastic surgery at UCLA Medical Center. “She had lost her entire nose, which is a devastating injury for anyone, particularly a beautiful, young, 12-year-old girl. We have had considerable experience in reconstructing noses from both traumatic injuries and following the removal of large skin cancers from the nose. Using our experience, we were anxious to help her resume as normal a life as possible.”

Naim’s injuries left her without a nose. Without existing cartilage and very little skin to work with, surgeons used a fascinating centuries-old technique to rebuild her nose.

In a series of four outpatient surgeries that began in February and concluded in late May, doctors transferred a flap of skin from her forehead and folded it down to created a new nose. The shape of the tip was achieved by using grafts of cartilage taken from Naim’s ear. In the last two procedures, scar revisions and aesthetic refinements were made.

“I am very happy with my new nose and it looks like it did before my injury,” Naim said. “Regardless of how hard it was to go through four surgeries, it was worth it.”


Before	After
Photos provided by UCLA Senior Photographer Michelle Van Vliet

Naim’s long, brave journey to Los Angeles was arranged through the diligent efforts of several humanitarian organizations. According to the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC), her story began during the last days of the fight for Baghdad in April 2003, when an aerial shell struck the home of her family, located in the Mada’en district in northern Baghdad. The shell exploded, razing the family’s home and killing the mother of four children.

Naim, the eldest daughter, sustained significant injuries. She was admitted to the emergency room at a local hospital and was treated for wounds to her face and extremities. During her hospitalization, her thumb was amputated. The family was unable to afford the costs of the sophisticated medical surgery required to repair the very noticeable damage to her face.

After hearing of her case, several organizations joined forces to help. International Relief and Development (IRD), first found Naim while working to provide her unemployed father with a grocery store, as part of their income-generation program under the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund. IRD contacted CIVIC and asked for help in coordinating efforts to have her taken out of Iraq for medical attention.

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, along with its network of volunteers, and the International Office on Migration, stepped in to assist with Naim’s travel to and stay in the United States. UCLA’s Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and UCLA Medical Center agreed to cover the costs of Naim’s reconstructive surgery, assuming all fees associated with her care. UCLA’s Department of Dermatology donated Naim’s laser treatments.

“Marwa represents thousands of Iraqis who need help to rebuild their lives,” said Sarah Holewinski, executive director of CIVIC. “All the organizations involved in this success story are proud of Marwa and wish her the best of luck.”

Naim’s visit in Los Angeles has been busy — she started learning English, visited many popular tourist attractions, learned to ride a bike and enjoyed playing basketball, running and swimming.

“I came to Los Angeles, America, for surgery and I am very happy to meet all of you, and I wish you to help other kids from all over the world like you helped me,” Naim said through her interpreter.

Later this month, Naim will return home to her family in Iraq. With the physical injuries of the blast repaired, she plans to return to school and hopes eventually to study business administration.

The UCLA Cosmetic Surgery Center and the UCLA Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery are dedicated to providing patients with state-of-the-art care in a safe, comfortable setting. All plastic surgeons are board-certified and university faculty members. For more information, please visit www.uclaplasticsurgery.com. For more information on donating to the plastic surgery patient fund, please call (310) 794-7180.

View Marwa's video update

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