A 12-year-old Palestinian boy in Jerusalem was riding his bike when a car hit him, causing an internal decapitation, or severe detachment of his head from the base of his neck. But thanks to technology, science, medical breakthroughs, and a talented team of medical professionals, doctors were able to successfully reattach the boy's head.
The boy, Suleiman Hassan, was recently discharged from the hospital. Medical professionals called his recovery a "miracle," noting that he had only had a 50% chance of survival when he arrived.
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The medical team ‘fought’ for the boy's life, the lead specialist said.
After the crash, Suleiman was immediately taken to the Hadassah Medical Center, where he was rushed to the trauma unit for surgery, per Yahoo! News. Doctors said Suleiman’s head was "almost completely detached from the base of his neck,” the news outlet reported. The orthopedic specialist in charge of the surgical operation, Dr. Ohad Einav, said it took them several hours, adding that the medical team "fought for the boy’s life."
The surgeon also stated that advanced technology helped with this breakthrough procedure. "Our ability to save the child was thanks to our knowledge and the most innovative technology in the operating room," he said, per Yahoo! News.
Suleiman's recovery has been called a ‘miracle’ by medical professionals.
The surgeon stated that the surgery performed on Suleiman was “extremely rare," reported the New York Post. “This is not a common surgery at all, and especially not on children and teens. A surgeon needs knowledge and experience to do this,” Einav said. The team also reported that the estimated survival rate for Suleiman was 50% and his recovery was a “miracle."
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Suleiman's father profusely thanked the medical staff and never left his son’s side.
A news agency in Israel, TPS, reported that Suleiman’s father stayed beside him during the whole process, noted Yahoo! News. The boy's father told the medical staff: “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.”
Though Suleiman’s surgery took place in June, doctors wanted to wait a month to announce the news. Medical staff will continue to monitor his recovery.
People have applauded the medical professionals for saving the young boy’s life.
Readers of the Yahoo! News article covering the story marveled at how the medical staff were able to save his life and have the skills necessary to complete such a rare and risky surgery.
“Science, technology, precision art and dedication join to save a boy’s life, It’s amazing what humans are capable of doing when we put our full effort into achieving something great," one reader wrote. "The world needs more of this sort of results from the human race.”
“I didn't even know that was possible," someone else commented. "I love medical breakthroughs that save lives.”
Another reader commented: “This is flat-out amazing! Kudos to the incredible medical team that helped this kid, and best of wishes to Hassan for a speedy and complication-free recovery.”
