JUBA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Despite undergoing two surgical operations to remove a tumor from her left ear, Sunday Peter, a 35-year-old mother of five, found no relief, as an infection led to recurring swelling.
Anxiety took hold in Peter, who worked as a shop attendant and lived in Hai Referendum, a suburb in South Sudan's capital, Juba, prompting her to seek further medical care at the Juba Teaching Hospital.
When Peter visited Wang Yatang at the hospital in mid-October, the Chinese ear, nose, and throat specialist diagnosed her with ear inflammation, a condition commonly caused by bacterial infection after trauma or surgery.
"This condition typically presents with redness, swelling, and pain of the ear, and if not treated promptly, it may lead to varying degrees of auricular cartilage necrosis and deformity due to poor local blood supply," Wang, also a member of the 13th batch of the Chinese medical team, told Xinhua.
She noted that the operation on Peter went smoothly, as a large amount of pus and necrotic tissue was removed. "However, surgical drainage was only the first step. Postoperative management requires regular wound dressing changes to continue clearing residual inflammatory tissue."
According to Wang, after one week of local wound care and antibiotic treatment, the swelling and thickening were gradually improving, consistent with the expected recovery process, but Peter's ear still had residual purulent discharge.
"We will continue with local cleaning and dressing changes to further control the infection and promote healing, hoping for her full recovery soon," Wang said.
"The pain has subsided, and I am now able to sleep well without pain," Peter said, adding that she is hopeful of resuming her business this week.
Nyalok Liep, 21, a third-year secondary school student, was admitted to the emergency department with frequent vomiting, abdominal distension, and inability to pass stool or gas for approximately 40 days.
Around mid-October, Liep was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction and underwent surgery. She is now on the path to recovery due to postoperative care provided by Chinese general surgeon Wu Chunli, alongside his South Sudanese counterparts.
"The patient was severely emaciated and malnourished, with poor resistance and low immunity, making postoperative recovery particularly challenging," Wu said. "After joining ward rounds with the local doctors on the following days, we immediately focused on providing both medical and emotional support to the patient."
Liep's condition has improved significantly: her complexion has brightened, her strength has returned, and she can now move independently, eat well, and regain weight, according to Wu.
"The Chinese doctors, together with the South Sudanese doctors, have been regularly visiting her and cleaning her wound even when we don't have money for this treatment," said Phar Liep, who is taking care of his sister.
