Crash Survivor Has Skin Grafts
Cecilia Cichan, the 4-year-old girl who was the only survivor of Northwest Flight 255, completed skin-graft surgery Thursday and is showing continued improvement, doctors said.
Cecilia came through four hours of surgery “very well,” Dr. Theodore Polley said. Doctors at the University of Michigan Medical Center removed skin from her back to graft onto her severely burned arms and hands.
Her grandfather, Anthony Cichan, 59, of Willow Grove, Pa., said Cecilia opened her eyes Wednesday evening and asked for her doll and her mother. She has not been told her mother, Paula, died in the crash, which also killed Cecilia’s father and 6-year-old brother.
Cecilia suffered burns on 30% of her body and multiple fractures. She was taken off a respirator and opened her eyes for the first time Wednesday, and Cichan said the prognosis for recovery is good.
Doctors said Cecilia could face at least two additional operations in the next several weeks.
When she emerges from sedation, she will find 12 teddy bears, a giant stuffed tiger, two fluffy dogs, a doll, a clown and a toy horse among gifts sent by well-wishers.
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