Kazakhstan's First Pediatric Reconstructive Surgery Master Class Transforms Young Lives

An international master class on pediatric reconstructive and plastic surgery took place in Almaty for the first time. The event aimed to improve high-tech medical care for children across Kazakhstan. It was organised with support from the Volunteer Society “Mercy” charitable foundation. The master class focused on treating minors with thermal injuries, congenital pathologies, and post-traumatic deformities. Professor Timur Tornov, a leading reconstructive microsurgeon from Yaroslavl, Russia, led the sessions. Local doctors from Almaty, Shymkent, and Atyrau also participated in the training.

During the event, doctors from Almaty’s Children’s Emergency Medical Center and Russian specialists performed seven surgeries. The procedures targeted scar contractures, joint mobility restoration, and deformity correction in children aged three to 17. Razhi Zhumadilayev, head of the burn unit at the centre, highlighted how modern reconstructive techniques enhance patients’ quality of life.

The centre already conducts over 230 reconstructive plastic surgery procedures annually. The event sought to expand access to advanced care, reducing the need for Kazakhstani families to seek treatment abroad. The master class provided hands-on training and practical experience for local medical professionals. It also demonstrated new techniques to improve outcomes for young patients with complex conditions. The initiative marks a step toward self-sufficiency in high-level pediatric reconstructive care within Kazakhstan.