The man who was hit in the face by a goat’s horn a couple of weeks ago returned home a few days ago. A bad accident which, following the blow inflicted by the animal, had punctured the eyeball and through this, continued its journey, breaking through the base of the skull and reaching the brain.
Arriving at the university hospital of Messina, the patient underwent an initial delicate multidisciplinary operation which involved Prof. Nino Germanò and Giovanni Raffa for the neurosurgical part and Prof. Alessandro Meduri and Prof. Felicia Ferreri for the eye.
In the first instance, a long and delicate neurosurgical operation was necessary to repair the collapse of the skull base and reconstruct the membranes that surround the brain; the action on the eye was more complex and required a first operation in the acute phase to sew up the perforated bulb and a second operation a week later. After having averted the danger of brain infections, in fact, it was necessary to return to the theater for the reconstruction of the retina, which was completely torn. A complex operation, which lasted eight hours, during which the retina was reattached via vitrectomy, injecting silicone oil inside the eyeball.
From the check-up carried out a week later, the skull base was perfectly repaired and the retina was in the correct position for the anatomy of the eye and the patient began to see again.
“An example of good healthcare – underlines the General Director Giorgio Giulio Santonocito – which enhances the activity and commitment of the Complex Neurosurgery and Ophthalmology Operating Units of the Polyclinic. Traumatic events like this are a clear demonstration of the important role that a University Hospital plays for the community. Being able to count on multiple professionalisms and specialties allows us to offer our citizens treatments that are often life-saving. A round of applause to our professionals for their constant and daily commitment best wishes for a full recovery for this young patient.”