Doctors Successfully Reattach Head of Boy Who Suffered Internal Decapitation in Car Accident

In an extraordinary display of medical expertise and innovation, doctors and surgeons at Hadassah Medical Center in Israel achieved the seemingly impossible – they successfully reattached a 12-year-old boy’s head after a horrifying car accident that left him with an “internal decapitation.”¹

The victim, Suleiman Hassan, a Palestinian boy from the West Bank, was riding his bicycle near his home when he was struck by a car, leading to an extremely rare and life-threatening condition known as bilateral atlanto occipital joint dislocation, or internal decapitation.² This article delves into the remarkable journey of young Hassan and the exceptional medical team that gave him a second chance at life.

Internal Decapitation

On a fateful day in June, tragedy struck when Suleiman Hassan was involved in a bicycle accident near his home in the West Bank. A collision with a car left him with a life-threatening condition – his skull’s ligaments became severed, leaving his head detached from the top vertebrae of his spine. This incredibly rare and critical condition is commonly known as an internal or orthopedic internal decapitation.

Airlifted to Hadassah’s trauma unit in Ein Kerem, Israel, Hassan’s life was in the hands of an exceptional medical team. Lead surgeon Dr. Ohad Einav, who recently returned from a surgical fellowship in Toronto, had previous experience with adults facing similar injuries. Understanding the rarity of such an injury and its severity, the doctors swiftly prepared for surgery, battling against time to save the young boy’s life.

The surgical procedure was a high-stakes challenge that lasted for several hours. Using cutting-edge technology and innovative fixations, the medical team worked meticulously to reattach the ligaments and stabilize Hassan’s head. Remarkably, the surgery was a success, and Hassan was closely monitored during his recovery. To aid in the healing process, a cervical splint, designed to keep his neck and head immobile, was employed.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hadassah International (@hadassah_international)

A Ray of Hope

Dr. Einav expressed the significance of Hassan’s recovery, stating that the fact he had no neurological deficits, sensory or motor dysfunction, and could walk without assistance was a remarkable achievement. The survival rate for internal decapitation is typically low, with most cases resulting in death. However, children seem to fare slightly better due to the relative size of their heads compared to their bodies.

While the injury itself remains extremely rare, especially in children, Dr. Einav believes that similar cases might have occurred in Israel before. As one of the few surgeons specializing in trauma surgery for spinal injuries, his training in Toronto, where he had previously performed this type of surgery on adults, equipped him to operate on young Hassan.

Internal decapitation is a devastating injury with a low survival rate. Studies have shown that approximately 55% of children with this condition do not survive the initial injury, transportation to the hospital, surgical intervention, and recovery. Hassan’s recovery and survival stand as a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of the Hadassah medical team.

Hassan’s father expressed profound gratitude to the medical staff, acknowledging their professionalism, quick decision-making, and utilization of cutting-edge technology that saved his son’s life. He attributed his son’s remarkable recovery to the team’s expertise and commitment to making a difference.

Conclusion

The miraculous story of Suleiman Hassan’s recovery at Hadassah Medical Center serves as an awe-inspiring testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the remarkable advancements in medical technology. The dedicated team of doctors and surgeons, led by Dr. Ohad Einav, displayed extraordinary skill, knowledge, and innovation in successfully reattaching the boy’s head after a life-threatening internal decapitation. Young Hassan’s second chance at life is a symbol of hope and inspiration for medical professionals and families alike, underscoring the incredible possibilities when expertise and cutting-edge technology come together to save a young life.

Keep Reading: Boy Who Survived Body Getting Chopped in Half in Horrific Work Accident Has New Health Scare.