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19-year-old Karla Flores was diagnosed with two rare chordomas, one near her brainstem and another on her spine. Neurosurgeon Dr. Mohamed Labib devised a groundbreaking "third nostril" surgical approach, accessing the spinal tumor through her eye socket, avoiding traditional spinal surgery. The complex, 20-hour procedure successfully removed both tumors, though Flores faces ongoing recovery and significant medical debt. Labib hopes this innovative technique will benefit future patients with similarly located tumors.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.