Surgeon repairs rare hand condition for infant from Turkey

Fewer than 100 people worldwide have Ulnar Dimelia, a rare condition that left an 18-month-old girl from Turkey with eight fingers on her left hand. The infant, Elisa, traveled to St. Louis for a three-hour reconstructive procedure on Jan. 30 to address the missing radius bone in her arm.

Elisa’s parents, Emircan and Gulten Buga, discovered the diagnosis shortly after her birth. The condition, also called Mirror Hand Syndrome, limits motion in the wrist and elbow while preserving shoulder movement. Dr. Charles Goldfarb, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, noted that the occurrence rate is likely one in a million or less. Even surgeons who specialize in pediatric cases rarely encounter the condition during their careers.

The family connected with the medical team through the St. Louis Children’s International Free Care Fund, which is supported by the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation. Because the parents speak only Turkish, they relied on a translator for all communications. They conducted initial consultations via phone and FaceTime before deciding to travel to the United States for the operation. Emircan stated that the trust and support provided by the staff played a major role in their decision to fly to St. Louis.

The surgical team, led by Dr. Goldfarb, completed the reconstruction in approximately three hours. The procedure aimed to restore function to Elisa’s left arm. Dr. Goldfarb described the surgery as life-changing for the child, noting that early intervention helps patients succeed in various aspects of their development. He expressed excitement about watching young patients accomplish goals later in life.

Elisa is currently recovering from the procedure. Her father, Emircan, said the medical staff provided financial and psychological support throughout the process. He noted that the language barrier never hindered the delivery of care. The family plans to return to Turkey to continue her recovery at home.

The case illustrates the global reach of the hospital’s free care fund, which connects international families with specialized pediatric orthopedic services. The fund helps cover costs for families who qualify based on financial need and medical necessity. No other patients from Turkey have undergone this specific procedure at the facility in the past decade.