(Nearly) Severed Head Reattached?

[dianacs]

I overheard some women at my exercise class saying that there was a man whose head was reattached after being almost completely severed. That's all I know. Anyone have info on this or is it just a rumor?

[emily_mom]

Yes, it doesn't sound like he had actual trauma to his neck other than detaching his spinal cord. When I saw this I thought his neck had been actually ripped off....doesn't look like that though.

Kristy

[chelli73]

I agree with you, emily_mom. I am glad the young man survived, but he did not present with an actual severing of head like reported. Now Christopher Reeve actually had his head severed from his spinal cord with only skin holding it "together". As we have seen, the prognosis is much more dramatic. But my prayers are with all involved.

[MrsK1223]

wow!

[Cindy_A]

That is truly amazing. But, I am curious. Where are the scars? There are no visible scars on the man's neck. Wouldn't we be able to see them?

[RNFROG3, BSN, RN]

yea GOD!!!

[NurseDennie, BSN, RN]

I agree with Emily_mom. It must have been a slow news day. The guy obviously had a fracture, or probably several, but there's no way you would describe him as almost severed head. Sheeesh

Love

Dennie

[LorraineCNA]

the report I saw definitely looked more like a dislocation or the likes to me....although when they hyped it before the actual story, I was thinking Frankenstein.....lol....(severed head reattached)

[brianpribis]

Originally posted by RN2B2005

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.

I couldn't get the link to work so I have to go by the posts that I am seeing. But you do have a good point, it does seem to be more hype than anything. That aside, this person in the article does have something to be thankfull for. I have heard it said that there are no athiests in the trench at war time, I wonder what this persons view on religion is after such an event?

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

Hmmm... I had L&D clinicals at that hospital.

But,

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. "

Double Ditto.