University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital Doctors Save the Life of Teenager with spear through his head.

By Jim Donahue

Yasser Lopez is a very lucky young man and on the road to recovery.

On Thursday, June 8th 2012, 16-year-old Yasser Lopez was accidently shot through the head with a spear! He had gone spear fishing that day at a lake close to his southwest Miami-Dade county home with a 15-year-old friend. He was swimming when his 15-year-old friend mistakenly discharged the spear fishing gun he was attempting to load.

And then the unbelievable happened!

The spear gun accidentally ejected the spear, hitting Yasser in the head.

Lopez was transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital/Ryder Trauma Center with approximately three feet of the spear protruding from his forehead. The spear entered the teenager’s head two inches above the right eye and came out at the apex at the back of his skull.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics provided the equipment needed to help save young Yasser’s life. You guys are the best.

First Vise Grips were used to stabilize the spear protruding from Yasser’s forehead. Then 18 inches of the spear was removed using a rebar cutter, allowing doctors to do a complete radiographic exam and evaluation of the patient.

Ross Bullock, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Neurological Surgery and clinical director of the Neurotrauma Program at UM/Jackson Memorial Hospital/Ryder Trauma Center said in a news conference on Monday June 18th, 2012, “It’s a miracle the spear missed all the main blood vessels of the brain.”

It took a team of surgeons three hours to dislodge the spear from Yasser’s brain.

Lopez is in serious condition at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and is expected to remain hospitalized for several more months.

Doctors said the teen has no recollection of the accident.

He couldn’t have been taken to a better Hospital anywhere.

The University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center has been ranked No. 1 in Miami-Fort Lauderdale in U.S. News & World Report’s first-ever Best Hospitals metro area rankings. The new rankings recognize 622 hospitals in or near major cities with a record of high performance in key medical specialties, including 132 of the 152 hospitals already identified as the best in the nation.

There are nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide.

Yasser was transported to The University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics via helicopter.

So pay it forward. Next time you see a firefighter or a paramedic, thank him or her for their service to your community, no matter where you live. I’m almost positive they will appreciate the thought.

Your life may depend on it. Believe it.

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