The astonishing recovery of 'turtle boy': British surgeon helps child live normal life by removing huge back mole that resembles a shell

    Villagers ostracised Didier and his family because they feared dark forces were at work
    British surgeon says Didier's condition was the most extreme case he had ever seen

a giant mole that covered his back like a shell, can now live a normal life thanks to a British surgeon.

Didier Montalvo, six, from Colombia, had the rare condition Congenital Melanocytic Nevus.

There was a chance the growth could turn malignant but Didier's mother Luz could not raise the money for the operation.

Mr Bulstrode removes the growth during surgery in Colombia

Didier and his family was ostracised by their village due to his condition   


Mr Bulstrode flew to the Colombian capital Bogotá to help a team of surgeons remove Didier’s birthmark, which had grown so big that it was feared it could become malignant.

The doctors then had to carry out a complicated series of skin grafts over several stages.

 

Mr Bulstrode told the Evening Standard: 'Didier’s was the worst case I had ever seen. Effectively three quarters of the circumference of his body was affected.

'Obviously he has had to go through a number of painful operations, but we feel it was worth it. It’s great to see the photos of how Didier is getting on now. I’m really happy

with how things have healed.'