Also known as: Brain death
Erin Shanley sustained massive head trauma from a brick through her windshield. She was declared brain dead and became an organ donor, with her heart going to her father who was waiting for a transplant.
Also known as: Heart failure needing heart transplant
Mr. Shanley was living in the hospital waiting for a heart transplant. He ultimately received his daughter Erin's heart after she was declared brain dead, creating a major emotional conflict in the episode.
Also known as: BDD
A patient believed his foot was not his own and used a chainsaw to amputate it himself. Bailey diagnosed him with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, though he completed a self-amputation requiring surgical completion.
Also known as: Leg amputation
Patient used a chainsaw on his own leg, resulting in complete tibial nerve damage requiring surgical completion of the amputation.
Also known as: Missing external ears
A young boy born without external ear structures underwent pro bono reconstructive surgery with Mark Sloan to build ears using rib cartilage. He had internal hearing structures but lacked the external canal and ear structure.
Also known as: Brain attack
Intern Norman suffered a stroke during the episode. Cristina Yang operated to remove the clot, with Norman's recovery uncertain at episode's end. The stroke was described as being three inches from causing permanent speech loss.
Also known as: Severed finger
A patient from Seattle's annual chainsaw pumpkin carving contest severed his finger, which was lodged in the chainsaw blade. The cut was described as not clean enough for reattachment.