News
July 13, 2023 | 1:52pm
Surgeons Successfully Reattach Boy’s Head in Miracle Surgery
Surgeons in Israel performed a miracle surgery and managed to reattach a boy’s head after he was hit by a car while riding his bike, the Jerusalem hospital announced this week.
The patient, Suleiman Hassan, is a 12-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank who suffered a rare internal decapitation, known as a bilateral atlanto occipital joint dislocation, where his skull was detached from the top vertebrae of his spine, according to The Times of Israel.
Hassan was rushed to Hadassah Medical Center immediately after the accident, where doctors discovered that his head was “almost completely detached from the base of his neck.” The team of doctors, led by orthopedic specialist Dr. Ohad Einav, performed a several-hour-long surgery using new plates and fixations to repair the damaged area.
The operation, which occurred in June, was kept under wraps until now. Doctors waited a month to announce the successful outcome. The hospital recently discharged Hassan with a cervical splint and will continue to monitor his recovery.
According to i24 News, Hassan’s survival rate was initially projected at only 50%, making his recovery nothing short of a miracle. Dr. Einav credited their success to their knowledge and innovative technology in the operating room, stating that the team “fought for the boy’s life.”
Commenting on the surgery, Dr. Marc Siegel, Clinical Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and Fox News contributor, explained that the success of reattaching the head relies on preserving blood flow to the brain. He noted that major blood vessels were likely intact, allowing the surgeons to perform orthopedic rebuilding using rods, ligament reattachment, and potentially bone grafts and implants.
While extremely rare, Dr. Einav emphasized that this surgery is particularly challenging on children and teens due to the larger size of their heads relative to adults. He commended his team’s knowledge and experience in successfully carrying out the procedure.
Hassan’s father expressed his gratitude to the medical staff, stating, “Bless you all. Thanks to you, he regained his life even when the odds were low and the danger was obvious.” The father also acknowledged the professionalism, technology, and quick decision-making of the trauma and orthopedics team.
This incredible surgery serves as a testament to the advancements in medical technology and the skill of the doctors involved. Suleiman Hassan’s recovery is a remarkable achievement and offers hope to patients facing similar traumatic injuries in the future.