Patient Stories
Sutter Spine Services
Khayla - Collaboration Changes Lives
Khayla was born in the Philippines with a rare kyphoscoliosis condition; a congenital disability called Spondylocarpotarsal syndrome. Her vertebrae were fused together preventing her spine, joints and bones from developing properly, resulting in leg paralysis and a progressive curvature of the spine.
Unable to get adequate medical treatment in the Philippines, Khayla's father Celso, began his mission to find help in the United States. Through letters he would contact dozens of hospitals, physicians and even the White House. Finally he received help from a spinal deformities specialist at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles and was able to get Khayla a six month medical visa. Unfortunately, Khayla's visa expired before she could find a diagnosis and treatment for her condition.
In 2005 Khayla's stepmother, Cheryl, sponsored her to come back to the United States. Working with local health organization and foundations, Cheryl was able to acquire Khayla a wheelchair, braces, obturator, a specialized car seat and bath chair. She and Celso also found one of the top specialists in pediatric spinal deformities, George D. Picetti, III, M.D.
"Dr. Picetti was there once Khalya arrived to the US and guided us through every decision, with a smooth transition at each level of care," said Cheryl.
Because of the deviation of Khayla's spine and the impact on her lungs, Dr. Picetti knew that surgery could be life-threatening. But in October of 2006 Celso and Cheryl decided surgery was the best option to improve a now eight-year-old Khayla's quality of life, and their confidence in Dr. Picetti's expertise and minimally invasive techniques made the decision that much easier.
Dr. Picetti enlisted the help of colleague and pediatric neurosurgery Samuel Ciricillo, M.D., FACS. Dr. Ciricillo performed a procedure to free up Khayla's spinal cord where it draped over the curve of her spine, which was needed to ensure that her preserved arm strength would not be jeopardized by Dr. Picetti's spine stabilization surgery. Working together, they preformed a series of complex procedures to remove a section of Khayla's thoracic spine and manipulate her 160-degree curve to normal alignment. She spent one month at the ICU at Sutter Memorial Hospital, five months of healing - but now has improved endurance, sitting balance, comfort, breathing and independence.
In the two years Khayla has been in the U.S. she has gone from crawling to wheeling around in her wheelchair; from using her inhaler twice a day to seldom needing it; and from barely making it through school to having energy through the day. She is independent, loves school and has "three best friends" - all thanks to the help from many people along her journey.
Back to top | More Patient Stories