Sweet dreams for a brave little girl

ROBERT KITCHIN/Dominion Post

IN SLUMBERLAND: Caitlin Scott will head home to Dunedin in two weeks' time after her successful birthmark surgery in Wellington.

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There's a bit more room in Caitlin Scott's bed for her cuddly toys now that she does not have to put up with her "lump" any more.

The brave little girl's peaceful, sleeping face gave no hint last night of the marathon operation she underwent just days ago to remove a two-kilogram birthmark ballooning out of her side.

Hutt Valley District Health Board director of surgery Swee Tan removed the unusual birthmark - known as a venous malformation - which lay next to her diaphragm, liver, kidney and bowel, during a challenging seven-hour operation on Wednesday. After a couple of days in Hutt Hospital's intensive care unit, Caitlin is now in the children's ward.

She is sitting up, moving about, chatting happily and enjoying being read her favourite stories, including the Thomas the Tank Engine book Henry and the Ghost Train.

Cheryl Scott said yesterday that the difference in her daughter, who turns three next month, was huge. "(Her side) is exactly the same as the other side now. It's unreal.

"She's just this petite little girl. It's hard to get used to."

Dr Tan and a team of specialists cut through Caitlin's abdomen and had to remove the end of two ribs, which were entwined in the birthmark.

But they were able to avoid removing some back muscle, which was originally going to fill the hole left in her abdomen after the lump was removed. Instead, existing abdominal muscle proved sufficient.

Caitlin is likely to stay in hospital for the next two weeks till the family return to Dunedin.

- © Fairfax NZ News