Baby Girl Born With a Massive Neck Growth Could Barely Breathe or Eat — Until an Eight-Hour Surgery Changed Her Future

When little Sandy Diaz was born in Queens, New York, in June 2015, her parents were confronted with a frightening medical reality.

The newborn had an enormous growth surrounding her neck and extending across the right side of her face. The mass was approximately the size of a softball and would continue growing during her first year of life.

Although the growth was not cancerous, its location made it extremely dangerous. Sandy required a breathing tube and could not eat normally.

For her parents, Maricela Benitez and Herry Diaz, every day brought the fear that their daughter’s condition could become even more serious.

A Rare Condition Discovered Before Birth

Doctors first detected Sandy’s abnormal growth during a prenatal ultrasound, but her parents had no idea how large it would eventually become.

She was diagnosed with a lymphatic malformation, a congenital condition involving abnormal development of the lymphatic vessels.

As Sandy grew, the mass expanded around her neck and face, affecting essential structures involved in breathing and swallowing.

Previous attempts to reduce the growth had been unsuccessful.

Her mother became increasingly concerned about taking Sandy outside because the little girl depended on medical equipment that had to accompany her everywhere.

A Childhood Surrounded by Medical Equipment

By the time Sandy was one year old, her condition had affected nearly every aspect of her daily life.

She needed a tracheostomy to help her breathe and a feeding tube because she could not eat independently.

According to her mother, Sandy had not yet begun crawling or walking.

For Maricela and Herry, watching their daughter struggle with activities other children could perform naturally was heartbreaking.

They desperately wanted her to experience childhood without constantly depending on tubes and medical machines.

An Eight-Hour Operation Filled With Risks

In August 2016, Sandy underwent a complex operation at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan.

Her surgical team included Dr. Milton Waner, a specialist in vascular birthmarks, and Dr. Teresa O.

Removing the mass was particularly challenging because it surrounded major arteries, blood vessels and delicate nerves extending toward the base of her skull.

Surgeons used advanced nerve-monitoring technology to help identify and protect the structures responsible for facial movement.

After approximately eight hours, the medical team successfully removed about 95 percent of Sandy’s lymphatic malformation.

Most importantly, all her facial nerves were preserved.

A Remarkable Transformation After Surgery

On August 4, 2016, ABC7 New York reported that Sandy was recovering well following the procedure.

Hospital spokesperson Barbara Osborn confirmed that the little girl’s appearance had changed dramatically and that the surgical team was optimistic about her functional recovery.

For her parents, the operation represented an extraordinary milestone after more than a year of uncertainty.

However, Sandy’s medical journey was not immediately over.

She still needed rehabilitation and further progress before she could eat, swallow and potentially breathe without the same level of medical assistance.

A New Beginning for Sandy and Her Family

Before the operation, Sandy’s parents had watched helplessly as the enormous growth continued expanding despite earlier treatment attempts.

Now, with most of the malformation removed and her facial nerves preserved, the family finally had renewed hope.

Her case highlighted the importance of specialized pediatric surgical care for children born with complex lymphatic malformations.

Although the August 2016 reports did not establish her long-term outcome, the successful operation marked a significant step toward improving Sandy’s breathing, feeding and quality of life.

For Maricela and Herry, their greatest wish remained simple: to see their little girl grow, recover and enjoy the everyday experiences of childhood.

Sources: ABC7 New York (August 4, 2016); CBS New York; NY1.