Israeli surgeons in Jerusalem have reattached a Palestinian child’s head in a rare and complex surgery, following a car crash.
“We fought for the boy’s life”, said Dr. Ohad Einav, who operated on the patient.
12-year-old Suleiman Hassan was hit by a car whilst riding his bicycle near his home in the West Bank and was rapidly evacuated by helicopter to the trauma department of Hadassah Hospital earlier this month.
In the extremely rare operation – Israeli surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses conducted the procedure following assessments that its success rate would not succeed 50%, as two of Suleiman’s cervical vertebrae had been broken. The condition, bilateral atlanto occipital joint dislocation, left his skull detached from the top vertebrae of his spine.
He has since returned to his home with a cervical splint and is not exhibiting any neurological deficits, sensory or motor dysfunctions, and walks unaided.
“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,” Suleiman’s father told the care team.
Mr. Hassan did not leave his son’s side throughout the operation. “Professionalism, technology and quick decision-making” on behalf of the Israeli team saved Suleiman’s life, he stated.
