For eight years, 51-year-old Dormitila Yula lived behind
bandages, hiding her face from the world.
What began as a small pimple on her nostril in 2017 turned into a
devastating medical ordeal that stole her comfort and her confidence.
At first, it seemed harmless. Dormitila, who had long struggled with nasal
blockage, didn’t think much of the blemish.
But after she popped it, the wound refused to heal. That small act marked
the start of a long and painful journey.
Specialists at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) conducted
tests and discovered a growth in her nasal passage.
She underwent reconstructive surgery using skin from her forehead and bone
from her rib to rebuild part of her nose.
The procedure offered temporary relief, but a stubborn infection soon
developed in her right nostril and eye.
By 2020, the infection had worsened. After further tests, Dormitila was
diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
This started a turning point that launched her into years of intense
treatment and recovery.
Her care involved two major plastic and vascular surgeries led by doctors
Adeline Vilembwa, Benjamin Wabwire and Loice
Kahoro, followed by 33 sessions of radiotherapy and 40 days of
hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
It was a grueling process that tested her strength, but it worked. Dormitila
was finally declared cancer-free.
However, the surgeries that saved her life left visible scars. For years,
she covered her face in public, avoiding eye contact and social interactions.
In 2024, a new multidisciplinary team at KNH took on her
case not just to heal her body, but to restore her sense of self.
The specialists designed a custom-made silicone prosthesis to recreate her
nose’s natural structure, anchored with zygomatic implants
fixed securely into her cheekbones.
The complex, computer-planned procedure, the first of its kind in Kenya, required
two months of preparation and a six-hour surgery.
On September 10, 2025, history was made as Dormitila became
the first patient in Kenya to receive a zygomatic
implant-retained nasolabial prosthesis.
For her, the achievement went far beyond medicine.
“KNH has given me a new lease on life,” she said.
“For eight years, I hid my face in shame. But now, I have a new nose. I can
walk freely, work, and sing in my church choir again. I’m forever grateful.”
The successful procedure was led by Vilembwa and Dr
Andrew Okiriamu, both consultant maxillofacial and oral surgeons,
together with Dr Margaret Mwasha, a consultant prosthodontist.
Today, Dormitila’s journey stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and multidisciplinary teamwork, a story of courage and medical excellence that underscores KNH’s growing role as a leader in reconstructive surgery in the region.
