Toddler returns after US operations

The Dublin toddler twin who was treated successfully in Boston for a rare medical condition is recovering in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, today.

Eighteen-month-old Elie Madden, who was flown out by Government jet to Boston five months ago, arrived with her family and a specialist medical team and Air Corps crew into Baldonnel last night.

She had not been able to breathe or swallow unaided when she left Ireland late last year, and was placed in a coma for 38 days in Boston Children’s Hospital to “grow” her oesophagus.

After seven operations, she took her first normal meal - vanilla pudding - a few days ago, and has been able to use her voice for the first time.

“She hadn’t been well before we left Boston, but she bounced back as she always does, slept most of the way, was monitored by a doctor and nurse and we’re on our way now to Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin,” her father, Eddie Madden told The Irish Times, speaking at Baldonnel aerodrome.

“She’s got a great Irish appetite, ”US surgeon Dr Russell Jennings, who led the treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital, told said yesterday.

Elie was diagnosed with a rare digestive disorder at birth known as severe posterior tracheomalacia and long-gap oesophageal atresia.

A five-centimetre gap between her oesophagus and stomach prevented her from being able to eat, drink or swallow without medical equipment.

Dr Jennings and colleagues at Boston are world experts in an oesophagus “growing” procedure devised by Minnesota paediatric surgeon John Foker.

Dr Foker worked with Dr Jennings and team on Elie’s treatment, which was covered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and VHI.

Dr Jennings is also due to start treating a second Dublin twin with the same condition this week. 13-month Sergio O’Connor was flown to Boston on Monday by the Air Corps, which then took the Maddens home on the return flight.

Elie was accompanied by her parents Esti and Eddie, her healthy twin sister Emie, her grandmother Anita and a specialist Health Service Executive (HSE) team.

It is the first time that the State’s Gulfstream IV has been used for a transatlantic air ambulance mission of this type.

“We have been overwhelmed by the unbelievable support to her case, but we are ware that we have passed the first big hurdle of a long journey ahead, in order to provide Elie with a normal life,” her parents added.

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