(Nearly) Severed Head Reattached?

Sleepyeyes · Jan 21, 2003

Absolutely a miracle!! Hallelujah!!

Lisa24 · Jan 21, 2003

Truly a miracle!!!!!!!!!:) :) :eek:

RNbeach, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2003

OMG.... Miraculous! Incredible! Just when I think I can't be more amazed a new day dawns!

Stargazer · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by dianacs
How is it that he wasn't brain damaged? Or didn't bleed to death? Amazing. And amazing that the doctor was working on a technique for just this sort of thing. How often does it happen?

According to the treating surgeon, it's a rare injury to begin with, and even more rare that someone whose body has been subjected to this kind of force would survive long enough to get to the hospital.

RN2B2005 · Jan 21, 2003

I'm trying to visualize this...the surgeon stated that the cervical spine was separated, with the cord left intact and undamaged. He also stated that the arteries were undamaged.

The patient was also able to talk to the nurses BEFORE surgery, and request that his pastor come to the bedside, so I'm thinking that the airway must have been undamaged as well? The surgeon also describes the surgery as placing screws and patching bone--which sounds like mostly cervical spine stuff to me.

I guess I don't see it as a near-beheading if the trachea, arteries, spinal cord, etc. are still attached. It's still a miracle, but it sounds like a little bit of hype also.

night owl · Jan 22, 2003

Nothing short of a miracle! He is a very lucky boy indeed.

sunnygirl272 · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by RN2B2005
I guess I don't see it as a near-beheading if the trachea, arteries, spinal cord, etc. are still attached. It's still a miracle, but it sounds like a little bit of hype also.

ditto...

thatldo · Jan 22, 2003

Quite a doctor I say, (oh I'm sure good nurses were involved too) it's great and uplifting to read such a remarkable story!

Hallelujah!

panda_181 · Jan 22, 2003

Truly a miracle...how can anyone deny that fact? God is great!

Amanda :)

night owl · Jan 22, 2003

It's a miracle in itself that his spinal cord, arteries and trachea weren't damaged. He was lucky to have that doc to be able to reattach the rest and it is a miracle that he's alive and able to tell his story. I bet the drunk driver is glad he survived and it's he who should be getting down on his knees and thanking the dear Lord that the boy's life was spared because of his stupidity...

OBNURSEHEATHER · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by RN2B2005
The surgeon also describes the surgery as placing screws and patching bone--which sounds like mostly cervical spine stuff to me.

I guess I don't see it as a near-beheading if the trachea, arteries, spinal cord, etc. are still attached.

Yup. Sure, it's a sign of how far SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY has has come. But really, how much money in research grants do you think this guy was eating up to fix an injury that is almost impossible and extremely rare to survive?

Heather

2ndCareerRN · Jan 22, 2003

I don't know if there was a miracle from any deity or not,, but it sure does sound like a dislocation at the skull/c1 (atlas) which was repaired with screws and patch.

The really lucky thing is that following the injury he did not move his head around much...and most likely a good EMS crew was on scene to immobilize his c-spine quickly and properly.

Dislocation of the skull is known in some circles as the "istanbul twist". Causes an immediate rag-doll effect if done properly.

bob