Smiles all round

Not everyone is all smiles after surgery, but five year old Kim Borila couldn't stop grinning after doctors at Mater Children's Private Hospital surgically removed an encephalocele from Kim's skull.

An encephalocele is a protrusion of brain tissue through a congenital fissure in the skull and is most commonly seen in developing countries.

The operation was performed by a team of specialists, led by plastic surgeon and co-founder of Operation Smile in Australia, Dr Richard Lewandowski.

Operation Smile is a non-for-profit organisation and first discovered Kim in the village of Davao at a screening mission in 2001. Since then, the team has carefully monitored his condition before being able to bring Kim and his mother, Lydia, out to Australia to perform the surgery.

Staying with a Mater staff member who volunteered to house the family throughout their stay, Lydia and Kim have been overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity displayed by those involved in Kim's care.

Through an interpreter, Lydia expressed her thanks and also her relief that her son can now lead a normal life.

“Kim is much happier since the operation and he was particularly pleased that his cousins and friends won't tease him anymore.

“He is now a handsome little boy,” Lydia said.