They will reopen the skin flap on the right side of this head, and put the skull back on. They have reconstructed the skull and all of the broken fragments from the initial impact of what happened, they will push with the skull, onto the ventricles membrane, hoping to clear enough fluid off of the brain, that it will be possible for them to screw the skull on without increasing the pressure in his brain too much. They said there can be many risks to putting the skull back on. Infection, increased pressures, pushing of the brain, etc. So we are crossing our fingers and praying that the skull will be able to fit just right! They will keep the drain on the left side of his head in while they place the skull, giving the fluid somewhere to drain as they push. They will also place a drain in his spine, as a safety option, just in case the drain in his head stops. The risks with having to use the spinal drain, is that while it is pulling fluid down from the brain, it could also possibly pull the brain down, making it sag closer to the brain stem. They will place the skull first, and then lay him on his side, to remove the hematoma by drilling a medium sized hole in the left side of his skull. They will monitor him for about a day, after the surgery, and then get an MRI to see if his brain has been able to drain the fluid on it's own, and to see how the surgery's went, if they helped or made it worse. If his brain is unable to do that on its own, they will have to put in a shunt. Which I think I've already told you what that is, but its a permanent drain with a valve, that they put under the skin of head, and it winds down draining the brain fluid into the stomach. There are also a lot of risks with a shunt. It can get infected, it can get clogged, stop working, etc.
The doctor has told us many times, there are a lot of risks with this surgery. This isn't a situation where they can follow a rule book and know exactly what to do when to do it, or what will happen. They just have to hope things go well and deal with the consequences as they come. We are so confident in them though, and know their judgement is best.
It has turned into a big day for Britt. Please pray for the doctors as they go into this surgery. And please pray for my brother, that it will all go smoothly and there will be no complications. And that his little brain will be able to start draining the fluid on its own, like they are hoping for!:)
GO BRITT!! You got this bud!
I will be saying a prayer to the lord to keep brit safe.
ReplyDeletePraying for your family, pretty girl!
ReplyDeleteSaying prayers from Scotland . Chris x
ReplyDeleteBritton is so strong!! We are praying hard for him and the doctors/nurses!
ReplyDeletePray for our doctors and for a child of God
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of prayers for Britt, your family and all the doctors.
ReplyDeleteI sat in the icu waiting room last weekend with my aunt. My uncle had surgery and spent a week in icu. That day before I left for the hospital my almost 16 yr old was leaving to go mtn biking. I'm always bugging him about a helmet... He's a typical teenager....that knows everything;) .... And is good at rolling his eyes because HE doesn't need a helmet. I told him about Britt that morning and even though he did roll his eyes he wore his helmet. Then at the hospital your dad told me to tell Brayden if he doesn't believe the importance of a helmet that he'd take him back and show him. When I came home and told Brayd this I could tell he was really listening and it really made him think. Tell your dad I said thank you!