In a heartwarming holiday tale, a young boy from Kyrgyzstan, previously living in seclusion due to severe facial burns, has undergone a successful facial reconstruction in Korea, thanks to a team of dedicated medical professionals from Asan Medical Center (AMC).

According to AMC, Alinur, an eight-year-old boy from Kyrgyzstan, had secluded himself from the world, finding solace only in playing alone with a world map in his room following a tragic accident that left half of his face severely burned.

Alinur's family, who lived in the rural village of Manas, faced a horrifying incident in June 2021 when Alinur, then six, inadvertently caused an explosion while playing with a fireplace where a chemical liquid was being boiled. The incident resulted in third-degree burns on his face, affecting his nose, forehead, and eyes.

For the first three days after the accident, Alinur couldn't see due to swelling from the burns, and he subsequently developed a permanent deformation in his nose. The nearest hospital was 40km away and had no specialty in treating burns.

As a result, despite the family's efforts, Alinur could only receive basic care due to the region's poor medical infrastructure.

Local doctors advised that scar treatment surgery could only be performed after Alinur turned 14, leaving the family with no choice but to wait for eight long years.

Desperate and with little hope, the family heard of the AMC's volunteer service and saw it as a beacon of hope.

The AMC team met Alinur in July during their volunteer medical service in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The AMC's volunteer team consisted of 46 medical professionals, including 15 doctors and 22 nurses, who treated over 2,500 patients during their three-day mission.

Professor Seo Hyun-seok of the Department of Plastic Surgery at AMC, who treated Alinur during their volunteer work in Kyrgyzstan, said, "Considering the burn was on Alinur's face, it was essential to address not only the functional and aesthetic aspects but also the psychological impact on the child."

Given the complexity of the surgery, which couldn't be resolved in a single procedure, the team decided that transferring the patient to Korea for treatment was the best course of action, Seo added.

The family of Alinur, who had been in despair, believing they would have to live with the facial scars for life, did not hesitate to decide to go to Korea upon hearing the news that they could receive treatment at AMC.

Upon arriving in Korea on Nov. 9, Alinur underwent a series of comprehensive tests at AMC.

The first phase of his reconstructive surgery, conducted by Professor Choi Jong-woo and his team, used skin from his forehead to rebuild his nose. This complex operation, lasting four hours, was followed by a second surgery on Dec. 6 to separate the transplanted skin flap from the forehead, ensuring its independent blood flow.

The surgeries have been a resounding success, with Alinur set to return home on Wednesday.

The Asan Social Welfare Foundation and AMC generously covered all of Alinur's medical expenses.

Alinur, filled with newfound confidence, expressed his desire to play with friends this Christmas and dreams of traveling the world he once only knew through maps.

"I used to hate it when people looked at my face," Alinur said. "However, thanks to the doctors at AMC, I have a beautiful face again."

Professor Choi Jong-woo, who led Alinur's surgeries, also said, "Despite his tender age, Alinur bravely endured the surgeries."

As time passes, the reconstructed area will look more natural and the team hopes he forgets the pain of the burns and grows up wonderfully, Choi added.