How Peking University Third Hospital Saved a 2-Year-Old with a Massive Eye Tumor
She Was Only Two Years Old — and Her Eye Was Being Pushed Out of Its Socket
When little Xiao Yue's parents noticed her left eye bulging more and more each week, they knew something was terribly wrong. At just two years old, she was diagnosed with an orbital teratoma — a rare tumor that had filled her entire eye socket, crushing her eyeball and optic nerve against the orbital walls.
The tumor hadn't just grown large. It had forced open the bony fissures around her eye socket, deformed the surrounding bone structures, and was pressing dangerously against the internal maxillary artery. Most hospitals her parents visited couldn't offer a safe surgical plan. The anatomy was too distorted, the patient too young, the risks too high.
They were referred to Peking University Third Hospital (PUTH) in Beijing.
The Challenge
This wasn't a routine tumor removal. The surgical team, led by Dr. Wang Yi (orbital disease specialist), faced a case that would test the limits of precision surgery:
- The tumor completely filled the orbital cavity — there was no safe margin visible on imaging
- Critical structures — the optic nerve, extraocular muscles, and a major artery — were all compressed and displaced
- The patient was a 2-year-old child, meaning smaller anatomy, higher anesthesia risk, and zero tolerance for error
- The bony orbit itself had been structurally deformed by the growing mass
The Multidisciplinary Approach
PUTH assembled a team spanning six departments — a level of coordination that only China's top-tier hospitals can mobilize on short notice:
| Department | Role |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmology | Led the surgery; orbital tumor resection |
| ENT (Otolaryngology) | Managed sinus drainage post-surgery |
| Anesthesiology | Pediatric anesthesia for a 2-year-old |
| Pediatrics | Pre- and post-operative child care |
| Radiology | Advanced 3D imaging for surgical planning |
| Nursing | Specialized pediatric recovery protocols |
The Surgery
On October 29, 2025, the team operated through a lower eyelid cosmetic incision — a technique that avoids visible facial scarring. Over the course of two hours, Dr. Wang meticulously separated the tumor from the surrounding structures.
The result: the tumor was removed in one piece, completely intact. The internal maxillary artery — which the tumor had been pressing against — was preserved undamaged. The team then used absorbable materials to reconstruct the orbital shape in the same operation, avoiding the need for a second surgery.
Three days later, a minor follow-up procedure was performed by Dr. Zhang Yinghong from ENT to widen the sinus drainage pathway and manage post-surgical fluid.
The Outcome
At the one-month follow-up, imaging confirmed:
- Complete tumor removal — no residual mass detected
- Eye function preserved — the eyeball and optic nerve were intact
- Normal appearance restored — the facial symmetry returned to near-normal
- No visible scarring — the cosmetic incision healed cleanly
For a two-year-old who was at risk of losing her eye entirely, this was the best possible outcome.
Why Multidisciplinary Care Matters
This case illustrates something international patients should understand about China's top hospitals: complex cases are not handled by a single surgeon working alone. At institutions like PUTH, the standard approach for high-risk cases involves formal multidisciplinary team (MDT) conferences where specialists from multiple departments collaborate on a unified treatment plan before the first incision is made.
This model of care is particularly valuable for:
- Pediatric patients with complex tumors
- Orbital and skull base tumors involving multiple anatomical zones
- Cases rejected by other hospitals due to surgical complexity
Orbital Surgery Cost: China vs Western Countries
| Procedure | China (PUTH) | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Orbital tumor resection (complex) | $8,000 - $18,000 | $50,000 - $120,000 |
| Orbital reconstruction | Included | $20,000 - $40,000 additional |
| Pediatric ICU (per day) | $300 - $600 | $5,000 - $10,000 |
| Follow-up imaging (CT/MRI) | $200 - $400 | $2,000 - $5,000 |
China prices include surgery, hospital stay, anesthesia, and post-operative care.
About Peking University Third Hospital
PUTH is one of Beijing's most respected medical institutions and a national leader in several specialties:
- Founded in 1958, affiliated with Peking University — China's top university
- Nationally ranked in ophthalmology, orthopedics, and reproductive medicine
- Full multidisciplinary capability — 50+ clinical departments under one roof
- Located in Beijing's Haidian district, easily accessible for international patients
Access This Level of Care
Through SinomedTrip, international patients — including families with children requiring complex surgery — can access PUTH's expertise:
- Submit your child's medical records — imaging, biopsy results, and referral letters
- Receive a multidisciplinary assessment from the relevant specialist team
- Travel to Beijing with family-friendly concierge support — airport pickup, accommodation near the hospital, interpreter
- Surgery and recovery with 24/7 bilingual coordination
- Telemedicine follow-up after returning home
Does your child need specialized surgical care? Request a free consultation →
