Surgery To Reduce An Enlarged Tongue Helps A 9-Year-Old Boy Regain His Smile

An abnormally enlarged tongue that filled his entire oral cavity prevented N.D.T., born in 2016 in Gia Lai, from eating and speaking normally for many years. Following successful tongue-reduction surgery performed by Professor McKay McKinnon and the medical team at FV Hospital, the boy is now able to speak more clearly and smile with confidence, opening the door to a brighter future.

Six Years Unable to Close His Mouth Due to an Abnormally Enlarged Tongue

Little N.D.T. has a gentle face and bright eyes, but he was born with a rare and complex condition: congenital macroglossia caused by a vascular malformation. His abnormally enlarged tongue filled the entire oral cavity, preventing him from speaking, eating, or even closing his mouth normally like other children. As a result, smiles were rarely seen on his face.

At just two months old, T. was diagnosed with two ranulas, or mucous cysts, in the floor of the mouth. This marked the beginning of a long journey of frequent hospital visits, sclerotherapy injections, and surgical cyst removals. Despite these interventions, his condition did not improve and his tongue continued to enlarge.

According to T.’s father, the tongue repeatedly became swollen and fibrotic, causing significant difficulties with speech and chewing. On a daily basis, T. was limited to thin porridge and milk. The fibrotic tissue of the tongue was also highly prone to bleeding, and each time bleeding occurred, his father had to rush him to the hospital for treatment.

“T. is very resilient. He listens to his parents and always cooperates with the doctors. Seeing my child born different from other children breaks my heart. I have never once thought of giving up. I am determined to do everything possible to help my son,” T.’s father shared emotionally.

N.D.T. before and after undergoing tongue-reduction surgery

When T. was six years old, a chance encounter completely changed his life. After learning that a child in the neighbourhood with a similar condition had been successfully treated, his family sought further information and was introduced to the Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund, a charity established by FV Hospital to support underprivileged children. Through the Foundation, the family learned about Professor McKay McKinnon, an American surgeon and world-renowned expert in reconstructive surgery, who has collaborated with FV Hospital for many years to treat complex conditions such as giant neurofibromas and vascular malformations.

A Remarkable Surgery: Reducing the Tongue, Restoring a Smile

At the end of 2025, during his working visit to FV Hospital, Professor McKinnon examined and personally performed tongue-reduction surgery for little T. The goal of the operation was to restore full tongue function, allowing the child to eat, speak, and move his tongue normally.

“The greatest challenge of the surgery was calculating precisely how much tissue to remove — enough to significantly reduce the tongue’s size while minimising any impact on its function,” shared Dr Tran Xuan Tiem from the General Surgery Department at FV Hospital, who assisted Professor McKinnon during T.’s operation.

Professor McKay McKinnon and the medical team at FV Hospital performing tongue-reduction surgery on little N.D.T

The surgery was a remarkable success. The abnormally enlarged portion of the tongue was reduced to an appropriate size, meeting aesthetic requirements and allowing T. to close his jaw normally. He can now speak, eat, and smile comfortably – abilities that had seemed impossible over the past six years.

In October, during Professor McKinnon’s working visit to FV Hospital in Vietnam, T. returned for a follow-up examination. Professor McKinnon was pleased to announce that the condition of the boy’s tongue was very good and that no further treatment was required.

“I would like to thank Professor McKinnon and the FV medical team for treating T.’s condition. I am especially grateful to the Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund for covering all of his medical expenses and helping my child eat normally and smile again like other children. Words cannot fully express it, but I am extremely happy and deeply grateful,” T.’s father said emotionally.

More Patients Given a New Life by the “Western Fairy Godfather”

Little N.D.T. is one of hundreds of paediatric patients whose lives have been transformed through the work of Professor McKay McKinnon, often referred to as the “Western fairy godfather.” The surgeries performed by him and the medical team at FV Hospital go beyond treating complex conditions. They restore function, improve aesthetics, and help patients whose faces were affected by tumours regain confidence and reintegrate into daily life.

During his working visit to FV Hospital from October 13 to 18, 2025, Professor McKinnon worked closely with the FV medical team to perform surgery on six patients supported by the Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund. He also examined dozens of additional cases involving complex and rare tumours and malformations.

Professor McKay McKinnon, world-renowned reconstructive surgery expert

For more than 40 years, Professor McKinnon has travelled around the world, working with hospitals and humanitarian organisations to provide free treatment for thousands of patients with life-threatening conditions. He shared that he is deeply grateful for the trust patients place in him and hopes to help them achieve better health and restored appearance, enabling them to begin a new chapter in life.

To schedule an appointment with Professor McKay McKinnon during his next working visit to FV Hospital may visit 06 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan My Ward (formerly District 7), Ho Chi Minh City, or contact the hotline at (028) 3511 3333.