Episode Title –
Shattered Bodies
In emergency medicine dealing
with the unexpected is a way of life. But sometimes the injuries
are so extreme…the situations so bizarre even the most
seasoned rescuers and skilled surgeons are put to the test.
Shattered Bodies documents
the stories of incredible, body shattering traumas and the heroic
medical care that helped saved the victims. We learn how individuals
survive unimaginable injuries through the perfect combination
of quick emergency response, surgical excellence and personal
courage.
In 1996, Justin McKinney
had a car accident that made national news. An accident that
put doctors and emergency workers to a test they’d never
faced before. Justin was impaled with a six foot pole that went
through the windshield, through him and through the seat. More
incredibly, he was awake and aware as they extracted him from
the vehicle. We learn how surgeons approached the perilous surgery
after Justin was transported to the OR with the pole still in
place.
Wayne Petteway
is the only known victim of an alligator in North Carolina history.
During the attack, the alligator bit Wayne’s arms with
such force, the snapping bones echoed like gun shots. When the
attack was over, Wayne’s left arm was attached by only
a few blood vessels and nerves. Through the ingenious harvesting
of skin and muscles from other parts of his body, Wayne’s
arm has been reconstructed.
Justin Page
had his ear bitten off by a dog. His mom found the ear on the
sidewalk, put it on ice and raced to get Justin to the nearest
hospital. Reattaching the fragile tissue of the ear is one of
the more challenging limb reattachments. Part of the success
was owed to a surprisingly ancient medical marvel – the
blood sucking leech. We see how medical grade leeches are farmed
and then delivered to hospitals for use in restoring blood flow
to reattached body parts.
Daniel Paitz
also needed ear surgery, but not due to an accident. Daniel
was born without an ear. Fortunately, his doctor is not only
a surgeon, but also an accomplished sculptor who has devised
a way to create a realistic ear with a carved section of rib
cartilage. We watch as the surgery transforms Daniel to a normal
“two-eared” boy.
Steve Hamelin
suffered one of the most horrifying kinds of injuries –
a severe burn. Although he’ll never look the same again,
his doctor Sal Lettieri has applied everything plastic surgery
has to offer in order to restore Steve’s appearance and
function.
Tim Smith
is a living example of courage and transformation. Tim suffered
an accident in which his face was literally sheared off by a
lawn mower. After over 20 surgeries, Dr. Lettieri has reconstructed
a brand new face for Tim.
