Doctors reattach boy's internally decapitated head to his neck in a rare surgery
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In a freak accident, a young Palestinian boy was internally decapitated in a bicycle accident.
The 12-year-old boy, Suleiman Hassan, was later airlifted to Hadassah Ein Kerem’s Trauma Unit, where he underwent successful surgery to reattach his head to his neck. Internal decapitation, called Atlanto-occipital dislocation, is a highly unstable injury resulting from damage to ligaments or bony structures connecting the skull to the cervical spine.
As per a statement by the Hadassah hospital, where the extremely rare surgery was conducted, Dr. Ohad Einav said Suleiman’s life was saved “thanks to our knowledge and the most innovative technology in the operating room.”
“This is not a common surgery, especially not on children and teens. A surgeon needs knowledge and experience to do this,” added Dr. Einav, an orthopedic surgeon who led the large operating room team.
Internal decapitation is not always fatal
Although Atlanto-occipital dislocation represents only 1 percent of all cervical spine-related injuries, it is the most common in motor vehicle accident (MVA) fatalities. The survival rate of those who suffer this kind of internal decapitation is relatively low, meaning Hassan is fortunate to be alive. But if diagnosed earlier and there’s timely surgical intervention, there can be improved neurological outcomes.
Suleiman was eventually discharged from the hospital after no neurologic or motor deficiencies were observed. However, he will continue to be monitored by the staff there.
“The procedure itself is very complicated and took several hours. While in the operating room, we used new plates and fixations in the damaged area… Our ability to save the child was thanks to our knowledge and the most innovative technology in the operating room,” Dr Einav told the Times of Israel.
“The fact that such a child has no neurological deficits or sensory or motor dysfunction, and that he is functioning normally and walking without an aid after such a long process is no small thing,” added Dr Einav.
Suleiman’s father told the hospital staff, “I will thank you all my life for saving my dear only son. Bless you all. Thanks to you, he regained his life even when the odds were low, and the danger was obvious. What saved him were professionalism, technology, and quick decision-making by the trauma and orthopedics team. All I can say is a big thank you.”
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