Surgeons at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel, achieved a medical miracle by successfully reattaching a boy's head after a severe car accident. Suleiman Hassan, a 12-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank, suffered a bilateral atlanto-occipital joint dislocation, commonly referred to as internal decapitation. His skull was detached from the top vertebrae of his spine, an extremely rare and life-threatening condition.
Led by Dr. Ohad Einav, the orthopaedic specialist, the surgical team performed a complex procedure that lasted several hours. Utilising innovative technology and new plates and fixations, they meticulously reconnected the boy's head to his neck. The surgery, conducted in June, carried a slim 50% projected survival rate, making Hassan's recovery nothing short of a miracle.
After a month of careful monitoring, the hospital recently discharged Hassan, who is now wearing a cervical splint to aid in his ongoing recovery. Remarkably, he shows no neurological deficits or sensory or motor dysfunction. Dr. Einav emphasised the significance of this outcome, highlighting the rarity of such a successful surgery, particularly on children and teenagers.
The dedication and expertise of the medical staff played a vital role in saving Hassan's life. His father expressed profound gratitude for the professionalism, technology, and swift decision-making exhibited by the trauma and orthopaedics team. Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine, explained that preserving blood flow to the brain was crucial in this remarkable case.
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